Maharashtra MVA Seat-Sharing Talks Hit Stalemate Over Nana Patole

MVA seat-sharing talks stalled over Congress chief Nana Patole's refusal to share seats with Shiv Sena (UBT) in Vidarbha. Shiv Sena (UBT) threatens to withdraw from talks if Patole attends, citing his unwillingness to compromise on seat allocation. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala arrives in Mumbai to resolve the impasse, while the parties await CEC meeting on October 20.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), a coalition of the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP), is facing a critical impasse in its seat-sharing negotiations for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. While the alliance claims to have reached a consensus on 260 out of the 288 seats, the remaining 28 seats have sparked a showdown between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress, threatening to derail the entire alliance. At the heart of the conflict lies the contentious figure of Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole, whose refusal to cede ground on seat allocation has drawn the ire of the Shiv Sena (UBT), culminating in a declaration that they will boycott future discussions if he remains involved.

The Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, has proposed a formula that allocates 100 seats each to the Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) and 88 seats to the NCP (SP), with smaller parties being accommodated within these quotas. However, Patole has reportedly insisted on a larger share for the Congress, demanding 125 seats and refusing to share seats in Vidarbha with the Shiv Sena (UBT). This rigid stance has sparked a clash between Patole and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, fueling the stalemate. The Congress, however, has dismissed the Sena (UBT)'s claims of reservations regarding Patole, asserting that he is acting as the party's representative and that the deadlock will be resolved soon.

The ongoing dispute highlights the intricate dynamics within the MVA alliance, with both parties showcasing a strong desire to secure a sizable number of seats. While the Congress believes its strength in Maharashtra warrants a greater share, the Shiv Sena (UBT) sees its current formula as a fair compromise. The situation has escalated to the point where senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has been dispatched to Mumbai to facilitate a resolution. The parties will also convene their Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting on October 20, where a final decision on the seat-sharing arrangement is expected to be made. The outcome of this meeting will determine the fate of the MVA alliance and its chances of securing a victory in the upcoming elections.

Source: MVA talks hit a stalemate; Sena (UBT) wants Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole ‘kept out’