In a surprising turn of events, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray has decided that his party will contest the upcoming Maharashtra state Assembly elections independently, despite announcing support for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. This move indicates a significant shift in the state’s political landscape as Thackeray aims to carve out a unique space for MNS in the electoral battle.
According to reports, MNS is expected to field candidates in over 225 of the 288 assembly seats, a bold move reflecting the party’s ambition to establish a stronger presence across Maharashtra. This decision comes amid dissatisfaction with certain schemes announced by the current Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s government, such as Ladli Behna and Ladla Bhai, which promise financial support to women and youth. Raj Thackeray’s disapproval of these schemes underscores a potential ideological rift within the alliance.
The ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, is yet to finalize seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming elections. The negotiations are anticipated to be intense, with each party striving for the maximum number of seats. Shinde’s Shiv Sena aims to contest 126 out of the 288 seats but is reportedly unwilling to settle for fewer than 100. Meanwhile, the BJP is targeting 150 seats, reflecting its dominant position within the alliance.
Ajit Pawar, during a recent meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, requested 80-90 seats for the NCP. He emphasized the importance of finalizing seat distribution promptly to avoid the last-minute decisions that marred the Lok Sabha elections. Pawar is particularly focused on contesting the 54 seats that the unified NCP won in the 2019 Assembly elections. Additionally, he aims to contest 20 seats against Congress in the western Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Northern Maharashtra (Khandesh) regions.
Pawar is also eyeing 4-5 seats in Mumbai, where the minority community holds significant sway, to challenge the Congress’s stronghold. His strategic positioning in these regions indicates a calculated effort to maximize the NCP’s influence in key areas.
The upcoming elections promise to be a fiercely contested affair, with the internal dynamics of the Mahayuti alliance and Raj Thackeray’s independent stance adding layers of complexity. As the parties gear up for the electoral battle, the negotiations and final seat-sharing arrangements will play a crucial role in shaping the future political landscape of Maharashtra.