Maharashtra Polls: Congress Proposes New Seat Formula, But Sena UBT Won't Back Down On 100-Seat Bid

With Maharashtra?s Assembly elections around the corner, both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) are locked in high-stakes negotiations over seat allocations, with each alliance?s Shiv Sena factions demanding a substantial 100 seats. The demand has fueled tensions on both sides, leaving key allies like Congress, BJP, and NCP facing potential rifts as they scramble to secure strong representation in the 288-seat assembly.

Congress Pushes for 80-80-90 Formula; Shiv Sena UBT Reacts

In a bid to finalize MVA seat-sharing, senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat announced an 80-80-90 seat formula in New Delhi on Friday, suggesting 90 seats for Congress and 80 each for Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, with 18 seats left for smaller allies. However, the proposal has received pushback from the Shiv Sena (UBT), which insists on the 100-seat threshold. Thorat ruled out a ?friendly contest? between MVA partners in disputed constituencies, though he did not dismiss the possibility of Congress ultimately exceeding the 100-seat mark.

Further complicating matters, Shiv Sena (UBT) unilaterally announced candidates for six contested seats?Versova, Bandra East, Bhoom Paranda, Ramtek, and two others?creating friction with Congress and NCP, who are concerned over the faction?s independent moves.

Mahayuti?s Seat Allocation Gridlock: 277 Seats Agreed, 11 Still Disputed

Within the Mahayuti, or ?Grand Alliance,? efforts to finalize allocations have met similar roadblocks, especially among the BJP, Ajit Pawar?s NCP, and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule revealed that while 277 seats are tentatively agreed upon, 11 key constituencies, including Andheri East, Worli, Mira Bhayandar, Ashti, Niphad, and Karad North, remain highly contested.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde?s faction holds firm on securing 100 seats, a stance that has delayed further allocation discussions with Pawar?s NCP. According to sources, BJP is pushing back against further concessions to Shinde?s faction, with BJP and Ajit Pawar?s NCP currently slated for 99 and 45 seats, respectively.

Symbolic Battle Over 100 Seats and Political Implications

Both Shiv Sena factions?Shinde?s in Mahayuti and UBT in MVA?view the 100-seat benchmark as a symbol of political influence. A shortfall could fuel negative perceptions, impacting each faction?s perceived dominance. With the seat-sharing process still incomplete, each alliance is closely watching the outcome, as political reputations and campaign momentum hang in the balance.

As of now, MVA partners have declared candidates for 158 seats, with 65 candidates from Shiv Sena (UBT), 48 from Congress, and 45 from NCP. Meanwhile, Mahayuti has announced 189 candidates, including 99 from BJP and 45 each from Shiv Sena (Shinde) and NCP (Pawar). With the final allocations pending and political dynamics fluid, further announcements are anticipated in the next two days, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense Maharashtra election season.