The agreement between its three coalition partners on seat sharing is almost finalised in the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA). On March 18, party leaders who were part of the negotiations disclosed that the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar Faction) would run for 10 seats, Congress for 16 seats, and Shiv Sena (UBT) for 22 seats.
Although the three parties have largely reached a consensus about the seat-sharing formula, UBT Sena and Congress are at odds over two city seats, Mumbai North West and Mumbai South Central. Parties are at odds on the distribution of seats among the districts as they are demanding equal distribution of seats. Thus, the discussions will pick back up for another round. According to reports, Thackeray might only be prepared to capitulate to Mumbai South Central.
A Congress leader on condition of anonymity said that the party is not ready to take less than 18 seats. The issue is the calibre of seats being offered – like if it has been decided to give allies only those seats which they are in a position to win. He questioned then why Congress is being asked to take seats such as Mumbai North and Mumbai North Central.
Struggling to reconcile with Sangli and Kolhapur constituencies is another issue the parties are facing. Though the Sena (UBT) just inducted well-known wrestler Chandrahar Patil, they remain steadfast in their pursuit of the seat in Sangli, a historically stronghold of the Congress. Even though Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, a Maratha king's descendant from the 12th generation, was recently persuaded by the MVA to run for Congress, the party is still targeting Kolhapur.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Spokesperson, Sanjay Raut, said that Shiv Sena (UBT) has announced Chandrahar Patil as their candidate for the Sangli seat, from where it will contest the upcoming elections.
Raut made his remarks soon after Vishwajeet Kadam, a former minister and Congress leader from Maharashtra, stated that the constituency needed to stick with the party because that has been the custom since independence. The soil of Sangli has imbued Maharashtra with Congress ideology and given visionary and inspiring leadership to the country. Therefore, this constituency should stick with the party in a district where people trust the Congress's philosophy, says Kadam.
MVA chose to proceed without Prakash Ambedkar, the leader of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) since he was dissatisfied with the four seats, including Akola, that were being offered. Prakash Ambedkar was being pushed to join the opposition alliance.
A senior NCP leader on condition of anonymity said that he submitted a list of 16 candidates of VBA representing the 16 seats. And the alliance is unable to share that many seats with the VBA. Hence, they have extended an offer of four seats to him; in the event that he declines, MVA is prepared to move ahead without Ambedkar.
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