Congress election in-charge for the Maharashtra polls, Ramesh Chennithala, addressed concerns about potential rifts within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance during a meeting with Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday. Chennithala assured reporters that both Thackeray’s health and the MVA’s stability are sound.
“I visited Uddhav Thackeray today to check on his recovery after his recent hospital stay. He is doing well, and the Maha Vikas Aghadi is also in good health,” Chennithala stated.
He emphasized the unity of the MVA, asserting, “There are no differences among us; we are together in this.” Chennithala revealed that discussions regarding seat-sharing would continue later in the day, involving key leaders such as Nana Patole, Sanjay Raut, and Jayant Patil.
Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut expressed his intent to consult with Rahul Gandhi regarding seat-sharing within the MVA, highlighting several pending decisions. Raut pointed out the need for quicker resolutions, noting, “Many Maharashtra leaders are not equipped to make decisions. We want this resolved as soon as possible.”
He reassured that there are no significant disagreements between the NCP and Shiv Sena, or within the Congress itself, but acknowledged that certain seats remain contentious among the three parties.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi consists of Congress, Shiv Sena-UBT (Uddhav Thackeray’s faction), and the NCP-SP (Sharad Pawar’s faction), uniting to challenge the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, NCP, and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction).
The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with vote counting set for November 23, prompting all political parties to ramp up their election strategies. In the 2019 Assembly polls, the MVA coalition secured 154 out of 288 seats, while this election will see the Shiv Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar’s NCP, and Congress banding together to confront the BJP-led coalition.
In the recent Lok Sabha elections, the MVA claimed victory in 30 of Maharashtra’s 48 seats, compared to the ruling alliance’s 17 seats, with one going to an Independent candidate.