Uddhav-Sharad-Congress Tussle: How Will Seats Be Shared in Maharashtra's INDIA Alliance?
By Lokmat English Desk | Published: January 2, 2024 05:48 PM2024-01-02T17:48:05+5:302024-01-02T17:48:05+5:30
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There have been varied reactions regarding seat-sharing within the INDIA alliance for the 2024 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. However, a decision on seat-sharing is anticipated to be reached by the end of this month, though it might take longer. Maharashtra, with 48 seats, has the second-highest number of seats after Uttar Pradesh. In an effort to thwart the BJP-led grand alliance, the Congress is striving to secure as many of these seats as possible.
The political landscape in Maharashtra has undergone a shift following the split between the Shiv Sena and the NCP. In the 2024 elections, amidst the Congress-BJP rivalry, the Shiv Sena-NCP alliance aims to secure additional seats from both factions. The Congress is seeking to contest more than 20 seats in Maharashtra, while the Shiv Sena, led by the Thackeray faction, is pushing for additional seats in the seat-sharing arrangement. The evolving dynamics suggest a complex scenario as parties negotiate for their share in the upcoming elections.
In Maharashtra's political landscape, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP plays a key role within the Maha Vikas Aghadi. Prakash Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) party, expected to join the broader India alliance, is anticipated to secure two seats. The intricacies of seat-sharing in Maharashtra pose a significant challenge for the India alliance due to the involvement of multiple parties with distinct interests and expected allocations.
Various statements have been issued by the constituent parties, each expressing a desire for more seats. However, the basis for the seat allocation will be determined by factors such as the number of party MLAs in the specific Lok Sabha constituency. In cases where a party does not have MLAs, seat-sharing decisions will be influenced by the party's representation in zilla parishads and municipal corporations. The allocation process will take into account the overall strength and presence of each party in the respective regions.
Congress co-in-charge Ashish Dua has announced that the party has established a five-member committee for seat-sharing. The committee members are Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel, Salman Khurshid, Mukul Wasnik, and Mohan Prakash. This committee has concluded discussions with leaders from Maharashtra, and their findings and recommendations will be submitted in a report to Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge. This committee's role is crucial in determining the party's strategy and allocation of seats in the upcoming elections in Maharashtra.
According to the report submitted by the five-member committee, further discussions on seat-sharing with allies will take place. The primary objective is to defeat the BJP, and all alliance partners are in agreement on this goal. The emphasis is on presenting a united front against the BJP, and the Congress, currently holding the maximum number of assembly seats in the state, is united in this endeavor. The upcoming seat-sharing talks will likely be crucial in forming a robust alliance against the common political opponent.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress contested alongside Sharad Pawar's NCP. The Congress contested on 25 seats, while the NCP contested 19 seats. Together, the two parties secured five seats, with the Congress winning one seat and the NCP securing four. However, the current scenario requires the Congress to negotiate and compromise with the Uddhav Thackeray faction and Prakash Ambedkar's party, which are constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The seat-sharing dynamics may change as the alliance aims to form a united front in the upcoming elections.
In the upcoming elections, it is anticipated that the Congress will contest on approximately 20 seats, the Shiv Sena Thackeray faction on 16-18 seats, and Sharad Pawar's NCP on 6-7 seats. Additionally, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) may be allocated two seats. It is noteworthy that in the 2019 elections, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) had contested in alliance with the AIMIM. The seat-sharing arrangement reflects the intricate negotiations among the alliance partners to maximize their electoral prospects in the upcoming polls.