Maharashtra Assembly Polls: Maha Vikas Aghadi on Verge of Sealing Crucial Seat-Sharing Deal

The final seat-sharing agreement among Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies is expected to be sealed on Tuesday, October 22, after a crucial meeting between the parties in Mumbai. This follows several days of negotiations between the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) regarding seat allocation for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections.

Meeting Scheduled to Finalise Deal

Ramesh Chennithala, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Maharashtra, announced that the seat-sharing deal between the MVA allies will be finalised in the meeting scheduled for 3 PM on Tuesday. He also mentioned that another Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting will take place on October 25. So far, the Congress has discussed nominees for 63 seats, with Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole stating that the deadlock between MVA allies involves 35-40 seats.

Consensus Reached on Majority of Seats

On Sunday, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut confirmed that the MVA alliance had agreed on 210 out of 288 assembly seats. “We have arrived at a consensus on 210 seats. It is a significant achievement. We aim to contest polls as a joint force, and we will defeat the forces looting Maharashtra,” Raut, a Rajya Sabha MP, said.

Congress-Shiv Sena Dispute Over Certain Seats

Despite progress, the alliance has yet to reach an agreement on seats that Congress will contest. To resolve the ongoing seat-sharing tensions, Chennithala met with Uddhav Thackeray and NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday, though no final resolution was reached.

Concessions Made to End Stalemate

In a move to break the deadlock, Congress has reportedly agreed to give up the Vandre East and Ghatkopar West seats in Mumbai to Shiv Sena (UBT), according to MVA insiders. Additionally, Congress will concede two seats in Vidarbha. However, the party remains firm in retaining the Nagpur South seat and is not willing to give it to Uddhav Thackeray’s party.

Key Contenders in Vandre East

Zeeshan Siddique is the current MLA from Vandre East, but Shiv Sena (UBT) intends to field Uddhav Thackeray’s nephew, Varun Sardesai, for the seat. A senior Congress leader mentioned that this issue is a sticking point in the negotiations.

Deal Likely to be Finalised Soon

Nana Patole revealed that Congress has cleared candidates for 96 seats, and with tensions easing between the two parties in recent days, the seat-sharing agreement is expected to be finalised by Tuesday evening.