In a significant development, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut disclosed that seat-sharing discussions among the Maharashtra allies of the opposition INDIA bloc, including Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena, and Prakash Ambedkar, are nearing completion. Describing the talks as ‘positive,’ Raut’s announcement followed a Congress AICC meeting focused on the seat-sharing formula with state leaders.
Earlier comments by Sanjay Raut, suggesting that Congress should start seat-sharing negotiations from scratch due to their previous electoral performance, had sparked tensions.
“I had a discussion with the senior leaders of the party who are a part of the high-level committee. In a few days, we’ll sit with the committee formed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and our primary discussions will come to an end,” stated Sanjay Raut.
He added, “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 leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) strategized at a meeting, resolving that the Uddhav camp would contest 23 seats, while the NCP aimed for ten to eleven seats. Meanwhile, Congress leaders advocated for 22 seats in the seat-sharing arrangement.
In the 2019 general elections, the undivided Shiv Sena secured 18 out of 23 seats in alliance with the BJP. However, both Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar) are currently at a weakened state following internal divisions.
Congress conducted meetings with its top leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, to discuss seat-sharing within the INDIA bloc. The discussions also included a meeting of Congress Alliance Committee and Congress Manifesto Committee, indicating preparations for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
