Seat Sharing Impasse: Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) Clash Over Maharashtra Assembly Polls
The ongoing seat-sharing dispute between the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) continues to escalate, even as veteran NCP leader Sharad Pawar steps in to mediate. The BJP has already released its first list of 99 candidates for the Maharashtra Assembly electio
Maharashtra Assembly ElectionsSeat SharingCongressShiv Sena UbtSharad PawarReal Estate MaharashtraOct 21, 2024
Amid the impasse, the Congress has cancelled its Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting, which was intended to finalize its candidates. The party has urged state leaders to remain in Delhi for further discussions. Meanwhile, leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) gathered at Matoshree, Uddhav Thackeray’s residence in Mumbai, for urgent deliberations. Last week, a Congress panel had approved 62 candidates, but the mounting tensions have put further decisions on hold.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut hinted at the gravity of the situation ahead of the Sunday meeting. “Our meeting yesterday lasted over 10 hours, and today we are calling for an emergency meeting with our leaders. We will go to Matoshree to decide our next steps,” Raut said.
Congress, on the other hand, has adopted a wait-and-watch approach, hoping the Uddhav Thackeray faction will make the first move. A Congress insider told The Indian Express, “We need to finalize some decisions, which is why our leaders remain in Delhi.” However, a senior negotiator expressed frustration over some of Shiv Sena (UBT)’s demands, calling them “unreasonable and difficult to accommodate.”
A Saturday meeting that stretched until 2 a.m. resulted in no breakthrough. Shiv Sena (UBT) remains steadfast in its demands, particularly in Vidarbha, where it claims several seats considered Congress strongholds. “How can we give up seats like Warora, Ramtek, or Nagpur South? We’ve consistently won these, but they don’t even have strong candidates there. Their demands are unreasonable,” a Congress leader commented.
Despite the rising tensions, Shiv Sena (UBT) maintains a positive outlook. Party MLA Ambadas Danve, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, said the meeting at Matoshree focused on campaign strategy and that any issues would be resolved soon. Meanwhile, Aaditya Thackeray held a private meeting with Sharad Pawar, though he declined to disclose the details of their discussion.
Later, Raut and MP Anil Desai met with Pawar, with Desai stating that the MVA would hold a joint press conference on Monday. However, a senior Congress leader claimed they were unaware of such a plan.
Congress also reached out to Pawar. MLA Naseem Khan stated, “It was a routine meeting. We want the MVA to remain united and ensure a return to power. We’re confident the remaining issues will be sorted out soon. Discussions on 10% of the seats are still ongoing, but with Pawar’s guidance, we believe consensus will be reached.”
Last week, the MVA claimed to have agreed on 260 of Maharashtra’s 288 seats. However, 28 constituencies remain highly contentious, with the Sena (UBT) threatening to withdraw from negotiations if Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole is involved. “We’re frustrated with how Congress in Maharashtra is handling this. If we don’t get our act together, how will we win?” Raut remarked, noting that he had raised these concerns with Congress general secretaries K.C. Venugopal, Mukul Wasnik, and state in-charge Ramesh Chennithala.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main issue between Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT)?
The main issue is the seat-sharing dispute for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. Both parties are clashing over the allocation of key constituencies, particularly in regions like Vidarbha.
Who is mediating the dispute between the two parties?
Veteran NCP leader Sharad Pawar is mediating the dispute between Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT).
Why did the Congress cancel its Central Election Committee meeting?
The Congress cancelled its Central Election Committee meeting to further discuss and resolve the seat-sharing impasse with Shiv Sena (UBT). The party urged state leaders to stay in Delhi for these discussions.
What is the current status of the seat-sharing agreement?
The MVA has agreed on 260 of Maharashtra’s 288 seats, but 28 constituencies remain highly contentious. The Sena (UBT) threatens to withdraw from negotiations if certain conditions are not met.
What is the role of Sharad Pawar in resolving the conflict?
Sharad Pawar is acting as a mediator between Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) to help reach a consensus on the seat-sharing issue. Both parties have held meetings with him to discuss their concerns and possible solutions.
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