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The upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections are witnessing intense negotiations between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners as they finalize their seat-sharing agreement. The agreement, expected to be made public soon in either New Delhi or Mumbai, will determine the distribution of seats among the BJP, Eknath Shinde's faction of the Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP. This article delves into the regional claims and potential conflicts that have emerged during these discussions, highlighting the key areas of contention.
The BJP has asserted its claim on a significant number of seats in Vidarbha, North Maharashtra, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. However, the distribution of seats is not straightforward, as multiple allies have expressed interest in the same regions. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region, for instance, is being contested by both the BJP and the Shinde faction, indicating a potential point of friction.
The Marathwada region, a stronghold of the Maratha community, has attracted the attention of both the Ajit Pawar faction and the Shinde faction. Both parties seek to secure seats in this strategically important region, recognizing its potential influence on the election outcome. Furthermore, the Shinde faction has shown interest in contesting seats in the Konkan region, which has been eyed by the BJP. This overlap in ambitions could lead to further negotiations and compromises.
The coastal Konkan division, encompassing districts like Sindhudurg, Mumbai, Palghar, Thane, Raigad, and Ratnagiri, has seen significant political activity in the recent Lok Sabha elections. The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP, secured seven seats in the region. The BJP, particularly banking on the support of its Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg MP Narayan Rane, is aiming for a complete sweep in Konkan. However, this ambition requires convincing its ally, the Shiv Sena, to concede the region.
Beyond Mumbai and Konkan, other regions like Vidarbha, North Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Western Maharashtra hold political significance. Vidarbha, known for its droughts and 62 assembly seats, carries considerable political weight. The region boasts the presence of prominent leaders like Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP State President Chandrashekar Bawankule, giving the BJP a strong foothold in this area.
Marathwada, with its 46 assembly seats, has gained prominence as a hub of Maratha agitation in recent years. The BJP's claims in North Maharashtra, which offers 47 seats, are expected to be substantial. The region, known as the 'Onion Belt', is home to influential figures like Girish Mahajan from the BJP and Chhagan Bhujbal from the NCP. These individuals wield considerable influence and are likely to play a key role in the upcoming elections.
With the BJP's Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting scheduled to finalize its candidate list for Maharashtra, the party is likely to seek a favorable share of seats while attempting to ensure a “respectable” number of seats for its allies. The final outcome of these negotiations will determine the political landscape of Maharashtra in the run-up to the November 20 elections.