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Maharashtra Politics: As the assembly elections in Maharashtra are getting closer, the knots within both the alliances of the state (ruling Mahayuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi) are starting to unravel. This indicates that the seat sharing is not going to be easy on either side. All the allies of both the factions are demanding more than 100 seats and are adamant on their claims. In the meeting held on Thursday at the official residence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, there was a strong discussion that the party should contest more than 100 seats in the upcoming elections.
Apart from the Chief Minister, party ministers, MLAs and MPs were present in this meeting. The party has appointed observers for this work. According to sources, Chief Minister Shinde has instructed the party leaders to start preparations for elections on 100 assembly seats. A source familiar with the party’s matter said that after identifying the seats, the party will appoint in-charges and observers on all seats.
Let us tell you that a month ago, in the party’s foundation day celebrations, former minister Ramdas Kadam had demanded 100 seats in the presence of CM Shinde. This move of the party has increased the possibility of tussle in the Mahayuti because the Ajit Pawar-led NCP is also interested in contesting 85 to 100 seats in the upcoming elections. Senior cabinet minister in the Shinde government and NCP leader Dharmaraobaba Atram said that his party under the leadership of Ajit Pawar is interested in contesting 100 seats and work on this has already started.
Another senior minister from NCP quota Chhagan Bhujbal had also raised a similar demand a few days ago, then the allies expressed their displeasure. BJP is uncomfortable with the claim of 100-100 seats by the two constituents of the Mahayuti in the 288-member assembly. Sources say that the competition between Shinde and Pawar can make the situation more serious because BJP has already been following the strategy of contesting maximum seats. It would like to field its candidates on almost half the seats in any case. In 2019, BJP contested a total of 152 seats in alliance with Shiv Sena, while Shiv Sena contested on 124 seats.
There is a similar competition for seats in the opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi. While Uddhav is claiming 125 seats, Congress is talking about fielding candidates on 150 seats. On Tuesday (July 16), former Chief Minister of the state and Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting with party leaders and reviewed the election on 125 potential seats. Thackeray directed to form a think tank and prepare a war room to ensure victory on 125 seats. Nana Patole, state chief of Congress, the second major constituent party of MVA, has already talked about fielding candidates on 150 seats.