Maharashtra Elections: Tension Arise In Maha Vikas Aghadi Over Seat-Sharing Dispute

As the date of elections in Maharashtra is coming closer day by day, the tensions between the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), state's opposition alliance is rising and becoming evident as there is spar over the seat-sharing pact. The show of tensions within the alliance becomes public after the Congress and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) indulge in war of words as there is spar over key assembly constituencies.The dispute lies over key seats in Mumbai and eastern Vidarbha. The grand old party has refused to give seats to Shiv Sena (UBT) from East Vidarbha region, citing party's less presence on the region post split. While Shiv Sen (UBT) is demanding seats in Mumbai where Congress has not performed well historically and lost.Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole confirmed that there is dispute over 28 seats and assured that matter would be sorted out by the Congress high command.Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut stoked tensions on Friday by criticising the Congress party's slow decision-making process. Raut stated that while agreements have been reached on over 200 seats, several crucial constituencies remain unresolved. He suggested that the delays are due to the Congress leadership in Maharashtra, which is sending every decision to Delhi for approval."We don't have much time left, and I feel Congress leaders here are unable to take decisions. They keep sending lists to Delhi for approval, but that time has passed. We need decisions to be made quickly," Raut said, according to India Today.Raut said that he has spoken to senior Congress leaders, in order to expedite the process. Raut added that the opposition parties must remain united against the BJP, despite the dispute over seat-sharing pact.

In response to Raut’s comments, Congress state president Nana Patole downplayed the idea of a significant rift within the alliance. He acknowledged some disagreements over specific seats but stressed that final decisions would be made by the Congress leadership, specifically Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. Elections in MaharashtraThe Election Commission on Tuesday announced the poll dates for Maharashtra Assembly elections. The Maharashtra Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on November 20. The counting of votes will be done on November 23. Lok Sabha ElectionsIn the Lok Sabha election held this year, MVA won 30 of the state's 48 Lok Sabha seats. The ruling alliance won 17. One seat went to an Independent candidate.Maharashtra is currently governed by the Mahayuti coalition, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. This ruling alliance includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena under Shinde's leadership, and the NCP headed by Ajit Pawar. The state legislature consists of 288 seats.