New Delhi. There is political agitation in Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) over the distribution of seats in Maharashtra. There is tension between the Congress and Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut warned the Congress against fielding a candidate from the Solapur South assembly seat. In fact, Shiv Sena (UBT) has already announced its candidate for this seat.
Raut said if the Congress does something like this in this seat, it will be a provocative act and may create problems for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). He said that Congress has announced its candidate (Dilip Mane) from Solapur South seat in its new list. This happened when we had already introduced our candidate (Amar Patil). I consider it a typographical error by Congress. Such a mistake can also occur on our part.
He further said: I have heard that local Congress leaders are interested in contesting from Miraj assembly constituency, which is part of our seat-sharing formula. If such an infection (of fielding candidates against allies) spreads throughout the state, it will create problems for the MVA.
The Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (SP) are part of the opposition MVA, which is challenging the ruling grand alliance. When asked if Congress is interested in contesting more seats in Mumbai, Raut said, ‘The party is asking for one more seat in Mumbai. Traditionally, Shiv Sena has been contesting more seats in Mumbai. The party is needed in Mumbai, just as the Congress is needed in the Vidarbha region.
On the other hand, Congress state president Nana Patole had said that the party high command decided to contest the elections from the Solapur South seat. He said: ‘We cannot comment on this at state level. My humble suggestion to Raut is to direct his criticism towards the opposition. The issue of submission of nominations will be finalized tomorrow.
MVA has announced candidates for over 200 seats for the Maharashtra Assembly elections to be held on November 20. However, there is a deadlock between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress over some seats.