With the Maharashtra assembly elections approaching, the political landscape is heating up as both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi race to finalise their seat-sharing arrangements. The elections are scheduled for November 20, and the results will be declared on November 23.
BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently announced that discussions regarding seat-sharing are in the final stages. He mentioned that the coalition has successfully cleared some problematic seats through constructive discussions.
The remaining seats will also be addressed shortly, and announcements regarding these seats are expected to be made at the convenience of the respective parties involved.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde confirmed that a meeting was held with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, where they discussed the seat-sharing arrangements. Shinde expressed optimism about finalising the details soon, assuring that good news would follow shortly.
According to sources, the seat-sharing formula for the 288 assembly seats has been almost finalised after discussions between the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party.
It is anticipated that the Eknath Shinde group will contest around 85 to 90 seats, while Ajit Pawar's faction may receive approximately 50 seats, with the remaining seats allocated to the BJP.
A BJP leader emphasised the coalition's strengthened position compared to the previous Lok Sabha elections. They believe that the fake narrative created by the opposition during those elections has been debunked, and the results from the recent Haryana elections are expected to bolster their chances in Maharashtra.
The BJP leader also highlighted that the Maratha voters are likely to support them due to their efforts to address the demand for reservation. Meanwhile, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who oversees the party's activities in Maharashtra, indicated that meetings regarding seat-sharing among Maha Vikas Aghadi constituents are ongoing. He expressed confidence that announcements regarding seat-sharing would be made soon.
However, there have been indications of friction in the seat-sharing negotiations between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress. Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole remarked on the internal dynamics within the Shiv Sena, suggesting that if Sanjay Raut is guiding Uddhav Thackeray, that is their internal matter. Patole affirmed that his responsibility lies in clarifying the realities of their leadership without delving into Raut's role.
Chennithala also took the opportunity to meet Uddhav Thackeray, who recently recovered from a health issue. Chennithala stated that Thackeray is doing well and that the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance is in good spirits.
In a concerning development, leaders from the Maha Vikas Aghadi, including Patole and Raut, raised alarms about the alleged lack of transparency in the upcoming elections.
They claimed that the Mahayuti government is removing genuine voters from the list and replacing them with bogus ones. This allegation has prompted the MVA to file a complaint with the Election Commission, expressing concerns over potential manipulation of the voter list.
Sanjay Raut further accused the ruling coalition of attempting to include "bogus voters" in the electoral process. As the elections draw near, the political tension is palpable, and both alliances are gearing up for a fierce battle.
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