The distribution of seats in MVA has not yet been finalized.
Mumbai: In Maharashtra, the distribution of seats among the constituent parties of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, i.e. MVA, is yet to be completed. MVA electors i.e. Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP-SP are still trying to resolve the deadlock in some seats and decide on an acceptable formula for the assembly elections. Please note that the deadline to submit nomination papers ends on October 29. Meanwhile, statements by some Maharashtra Congress leaders on different seat-sharing formulas have further added to the confusion.
Thorat proposed the 90-90-90 seat formula.
The constituent parties of the MVA had announced that they would contest between 85 and 85 assembly seats in the elections to be held on November 20 for the 288-member assembly. At the same time, Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat has proposed the formula of “90-90-90” seats for allies. Thorat met Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray at his residence on Saturday. Asked if the Congress would contest more than 100 seats, Thorat said he had not counted them. Thorat said the Congress will contest the elections as a member of the MVA.
'The MVA has left 18 seats to other allies'
Thorat said the opposition alliance will win more than 180 seats and name its own prime minister. The Congress leader said the MVA has left 18 seats for other allies. He said, 'Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has asked me to hold talks on the basis of mutual understanding. Talks are underway over some seats in Mumbai. Thorat, after meeting Uddhav Thackeray at his residence, said they discussed the election campaign and manifesto plans.
Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat.
'MVA needs everyone's support, everyone's development'
The growing disquiet in the MVA regarding finalizing the seat sharing was visible in Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut's statement. Raut said if anyone needs 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', it is the opposition alliance MVA. Raut also expressed displeasure over small parties in the state like the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) and the Samajwadi Party unilaterally declaring candidates for some seats. SP's Maharashtra unit chief Abu Azmi had said on Friday that if the MVA cannot reach any agreement with smaller parties, they will field their candidates in 20-25 seats.
'Abu Azmi will get his two constituencies'
We inform you that the SP has already fielded candidates for 5 seats and has demanded 7 more seats. Raut said, 'The Congress contested all the seats in Haryana, but could not form the government. Therefore, he will have to take everyone with him. If anyone needs the motto 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', it is MVA. Abu Azmi will get both of his constituencies, but has declared his seat. PWP has announced its seats. This is not correct. If someone from MVA does this, people get angry. We will continue our conversations.
'Whoever can win, that match will be considered'
At the same time, Jayant Patil of the NCP (SP) said that no formula for seat-sharing among the constituent parties of the MVA has been decided. He stressed that decisions are being made based on the candidates' probability of victory. Patil said, 'No formula has been decided. The match that can win will be considered. Our effort is to present the best candidate. When asked about Thorat's suggested '90-90-90' formula for MVA partners, Patil said, “There will be a tussle for one or two seats here and there.” Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress have insisted on contesting the elections between 100 and 100 of 288 seats.
Even in Mahayuti, talks on some seats have not concluded.
Talks continue over 7 or 8 seats: Bawankule
Meanwhile, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has also not taken any final decision on seat sharing. Actually, there are some special seats which are being claimed by the three constituent parties of the alliance, BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP. These seats are Versova, Mira Bhayandar, Andheri East, Worli, Mankhurd, Vasai, Ashti, Nifad, Karad North, Phaltan and Warud Morshi. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Saturday said talks are underway between the BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP for 7-8 seats. He also rejected the idea of any kind of difference of opinion. He said we are fighting as a family.
The BJP won 105 seats in the 2019 elections
Let us inform you that the BJP has so far announced candidates for 121 seats, while NCP-led Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena-led Eknath Shinde have announced 45 candidates each. While in the MVA camp, the Congress has so far announced 71 candidates, the NCP-SP 67 and the Shiv Sena (UBT) 65. In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP won the maximum 105 seats and Its then ally Shiv Sena (undivided) won 56 seats. The NCP (undivided), which was part of the UPA, had won 54 seats and the Congress 44 seats. (Language)
