Nagpur/Mumbai: Although the dates for the Maharashtra Assembly elections have not been declared yet, political activity in the State is intensifying. The Mahayuti alliance has finalised its seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming elections, where each party will contest the seats they won in the 2019 elections. The seat-sharing formula for the Mahayuti alliance, which includes BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP (Ajit Pawar), will be finalised by August 15 for the upcoming Assembly elections, which is likely to take place in October this year, a report in a TV news channel said.
Speaking to media in Niphad taluka of Nashik district, Ajit Pawar said that the seat-sharing formula has been finalised based on the seats where MLAs from each party were elected. According to this formula, only candidates from the respective parties will contest the elections in these previously won seats.
“The parties have decided to keep the seats they won in the 2019 Assembly elections, allowing them to proceed with selecting their candidates. While discussions are ongoing about potentially swapping seats among coalition partners if a stronger candidate is found, no final decision has been made yet,” he said.
In response to Ajit Pawar’s statement, BJP State President Chandrashekhar Bawankule in Nagpur remarked that all MLAs, whether from BJP, Shinde’s faction, or Ajit Pawar’s group, have a strong sense of their respective seats. He acknowledged this sentiment and noted that while the overall feeling is steadfast, there may be minor adjustments to the seat distribution. He was talking to media persons after the meeting of District Planning Committee (DPC) held on Friday in Nagpur.
Seat-sharing to be finalised on Aug 15
He mentioned that discussions have taken place among the leaders of the three parties — Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar — about the alliance and that the final seat-sharing decision will be made by August 15.
“The prevailing view among the MLAs is that elections should be contested in the constituencies held by the current representatives, with potential adjustments of one or two seats. This sentiment is strong among the MLAs and the party, and it is expected to be implemented,” he said.
To a query about Rahul Gandhi’s remarks, Bawankule said, “What fear does Rahul Gandhi have? Why are they spreading rumours? Trying to gain sympathy by playing gimmicks. He lied in the Lok Sabha. Maharashtra is the land of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and it is a civilized state. All the leaders have worked for the development of Maharashtra,” he stressed.
In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the undivided Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won 56 and 54 seats, respectively, while the Congress secured 44 seats.
