As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its inaugural list of 99 candidates for the forthcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, the impasse regarding seat-sharing between Congress and the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena persisted, prompting NCP chief Sharad Pawar to step in as a potential mediator.
On Sunday, Congress made the decision to cancel its Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting, which was intended to finalize candidate selections, effectively stalling any advancement in negotiations. The party directed its state leadership to remain in Delhi while Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders convened at Uddhav Thackeray’s residence, Matoshree, to strategize their next steps. Notably, Congress had already approved 62 seats for the CEC’s review the previous week.
Ahead of the crucial Sena (UBT) meeting, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut underscored the urgency of the situation, remarking, “Some decisions need to be made.” He highlighted that the lengthy discussions the day before lasted over ten hours without yielding a consensus. “After conversing with Thackeray, we called for an urgent meeting of our leaders. We may have to make pivotal decisions,” Raut stated.
Sources from Indian Express indicated that, despite the comprehensive talks, no resolution was achieved, as Sena (UBT) maintained its insistence on contesting additional seats in Vidarbha while claiming constituencies historically represented by Congress. A frustrated Congress leader voiced concerns, saying, “How can we concede seats like Warora, Dhamangaon Railway, Ramtek, or Nagpur South? We have a track record of winning these constituencies, and they lack viable candidates. The demands are unreasonable.”
Ambadas Danve, the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council for Sena (UBT), reiterated that the Matoshree meeting was concentrated on solidifying the party’s campaign strategy, assuring that any issues would be swiftly addressed. In a significant turn of events, Aaditya Thackeray, the son of Uddhav Thackeray, held an impromptu discussion with Sharad Pawar, although the specifics of their conversation remain undisclosed.
As the election date draws closer, the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition faces mounting pressure to reconcile differences and finalize their candidate lists amid escalating tensions and conflicting demands. Sharad Pawar’s involvement as a mediator could prove pivotal in navigating this complex political landscape as the parties strive for unity in their electoral efforts.