Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut provided a significant hint on the ongoing seat-sharing talks within the INDIA bloc in Maharashtra. Despite recent disagreements with the Congress party over the formula, Raut expressed optimism, stating that discussions among key players – Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Prakash Ambedkar’s VBA – are nearly concluded.
Raut conveyed, “Our talks on seat-sharing with Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena, and Prakash Ambedkar are almost done. It has been a very positive discussion. We can’t see any clashes in the four parties… We are in talks with Congress and Prakash Ambedkar.”
The seat-sharing formula initially faced challenges as different parties had varied expectations. However, Raut mentioned that discussions with the Congress on seat-sharing will commence from scratch as they did not secure any seats in the state.
In the last general elections, the undivided Shiv Sena, in alliance with the BJP, won 18 out of 23 seats, while the NCP, in alliance with the Congress, secured four out of 19 seats. Currently, both the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (Sharad Pawar) find themselves at their weakest after internal splits.
Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, recently held meetings to discuss seat-sharing within the INDIA bloc. The Alliance Committee will soon conduct state-wise discussions with other allies.
