16 March,2024 06:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanjay Raut. File Pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday welcomed the declaration of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 schedule and said the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was ready for it, reported the PTI.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comprises the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar). It is pitted against the ruling alliance consisting of the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Ajit Pawar's NCP.
"We only want the Election Commission to ensure free and fair polls," Sanjay Raut told PTI.
Queried about Maharashtra going to polls in five phases, Sanjay Raut said that several new things were happening under the current regime.
ALSO READ
Ajit Pawar-led NCP to contest MLC election from Mumbai Teachers constituency
Karnataka results won't affect Lok Sabha, Maharashtra elections: CM Shinde
Shiv Sena's Shivaji Shendge to contest polls from Mumbai Teachers' constituency
Mid-Day Top News: Maharashtra assembly polls likely only after Diwali and more
Special | Maharashtra assembly elections: Who’s the real NCP in Mumbra-Kalwa?
"The MVA will announce its candidates after the rally in Mumbai tomorrow," he informed, according to the PTI.
Meanwhile, in a post on X, Clyde Crasto, national spokesperson of NCP (SP) said, "Five phases in Maharashtra. What is the BJP trying to so? Is this fear or EVM."
Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the highest after Uttar Pradesh's 80.
Lok Sabha elections 2024: MVA ready for polls, says Raut; Sharad Pawar faction questions five-phase schedule
In the first phase, scheduled for April 19, 2024, voters in five key constituencies, including Ramtek, Nagpur, Bhandara Gondia, Gadchiroli Chimur, and Chandrapur, will cast their votes.
The second phase of voting, slated for April 26, 2024, will see polling in eight constituencies, including Buldhana, Akola, Amravati, Wardha, Yavatmal Washim, Hingoli, Nanded, and Parbhani.
On May 7, 2024, the third phase of voting will take place across 11 constituencies, covering regions such as Raigad, Baramati, Dharashiv, Latur, Solapur, Madha, Sangli, Satara, Ratnagiri Sindhudurg, Kolhapur, and Hatkanangle.
The fourth phase will be held on June 4, 2024 for seats including, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Raver, Jalna, Sambhajinagar, Maval, Pune, Shirur, Ahmednagar, Shirdi and Beed.
The fifth and final phase of voting in Maharashtra will take place on May 20, 2024, encompassing 13 constituencies, including Washim, Dindori, Nashik, Palghar, Bhiwandi, Welfare, Thane, Mumbai North, Mumbai North West, Mumbai North East, Mumbai North Central, Mumbai South Central, and Mumbai South.
(with PTI inputs)
