Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray Sena lays down seat-sharing marker

They may have vowed to stand together against the BJP, but it seems like the three major constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi have some tough times ahead. They will have to overcome turbulence and infighting over finalising the seat-sharing formula for the elections they wish to contest as a team.

The run-up to the talks regarding the Lok Sabha's 48 seats hit its first major hiccup when the Shiv Sena (UBT) indicated that the 18 seats it had won in 2019 as the united Sena were to remain with it. The Congress, a topper for many terms but who won just one LS seat four years ago, disagreed and protested against the Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut's statements, calling them unwarranted and detrimental to the anti-BJP union's future strategy. The Congress's confidence stems from its recent Karnataka victory and faith in Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra.

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Sanjay Raut, Sena (UBT)

‘We'll have 19 MPs'

When asked on Friday amid unconfirmed reports that the MVA partners had decided to share 16 seats each, Raut said no such formula had been finalised. "Only primary talks about deciding the method of talks and representatives [from the partners] have been held. The 16-each formula has no basis. Someone tells you something and you run it as news," said the editor-MP.

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However, he denied any clash in the MVA. "There is no difference of opinion and there will be none. Let me tell you that the MVA is here to stay. We will fight the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha polls together."

Nana Patole, state Congress president; (right) Sanjay Raut

When asked about his party's demand, he said it wasn't a (bargain) market. "We have 19 Lok Sabha MPs--18 in Maharashtra and one in Dadra-Nagar Haveli. It will be the same number in the Lok Sabha again," he added, saying that the NCP's four and the Congress's one seat (won in 2019) wouldn't go anywhere.

Mind it, says Congress

The Congress shot back, calling out Raut for making ‘unwarranted' statements that were detrimental to the pre-poll alliance. State Congress president Nana Patole said such statements should be avoided to safeguard the MVA's way ahead. "The Congress wants to discuss how to win as many seats against the BJP. It is not about who gets how many seats to contest. One should not make statements that will impact the MVA's future strategy," said Patole.

Congress legislative party leader, Balasaheb Thorat said the MVA, if they fight together, can win at least 40 out of 48 seats. "It is a fact that no formula has been decided yet. It is understandable that everyone will be wanting more, but we also want to consider electoral merit [of the parties and candidates] while sharing seats," said Thorat. Former CM Ashok Chavan also joined the debate, urging the need for patience and consideration of various aspects that can help win as
many seats.