In a potential setback for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has staked claim to 23 Lok Sabha seats for the upcoming polls, sparking concerns over seat-sharing within the coalition. The alliance, comprising the Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena, faces challenges in finding common ground.
Raut emphasized Sena’s historical collaboration with BJP in the past, stating that the party had consistently contested 23 seats alongside BJP. Despite winning 18 of those seats, Raut asserted there would be no discussion on those victories. He further mentioned ongoing discussions with Congress, with the final decision to be made by top leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, and Uddhav Thackeray.
Supporting Raut’s claim, Shiv Sena’s district chief in Nagpur, Prakash Jadhav, highlighted Sena’s significant contribution to the alliance, winning the highest number of seats after BJP in the previous elections.
However, Congress sources downplayed Raut’s demand, revealing that a meeting between Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, and Uddhav Thackeray is scheduled for January 13-14 in Delhi to finalize the seat-sharing arrangement. NCP spokesperson Pravin Kunte Patil assured that while every party has the right to make demands, the leadership will have the final say.
Amidst these developments, senior NCP leader Anil Deshmukh indicated that the seat-sharing formula was in its final stages, and specifics would be revealed post-meeting. Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe mentioned ongoing discussions between MVA partners.
As political dynamics unfold, the MVA alliance navigates challenges, balancing party interests and the need for a united front in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
