Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024: Ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance finalised its seat-sharing arrangement on Wednesday. According to the agreement, the three major coalition partners -- Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) -- will each contest 85 seats in the 288-member state assembly.
The seat-sharing formula covers a total of 255 seats out of the 288 available in Maharashtra. The remaining seats will likely be allocated to smaller alliance partners or independent candidates backed by the MVA.
MVA leaders hold press conference
Addressing a press conference, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said consensus has been reached on 270 out of a total 288 seats for the November 20 elections. "We will include Samajwadi Party, PWP, CPI(M), CPI, and AAP. Discussions are still on for the remaining seats. We have amicably arrived at a consensus on 270 seats. MVA stands united to defeat the Mahayuti government," Raut said.
He also announced that 18 seats will be allocated to the MVA coalition partners, but negotiations over 15 crucial seats remain unresolved. Raut hinted that while the allies may demand more seats, reaching an agreement on these specific seats is proving difficult. As per sources, the discussions have hit a roadblock over the following key constituencies: Bhiwandi West, Versova, Colaba, Byculla, Nagpur South, Chandrapur, Warora, Dariyapur, Erandol, Wani, and Chandrapur. Negotiations are ongoing as the MVA partners try to strike a balance, but as of now, no consensus has been reached on these important constituencies. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said the rest of the seats will be left for smaller parties.
'MVA will form government in Maharashtra'
Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray faction, spokesperson Anand Dubey on Wednesday exuded confidence in the victory of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, saying in Maharashtra, MVA will form the government. As the polling date draws near, both the ruling Mahayuti alliance comprising the BJP alongside the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have intensified their preparations. The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23. In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena won 56 seats, and the Congress secured 44 seats. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, while the Shiv Sena won 63 and the Congress.
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