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The upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections are set to be a tense affair, with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance facing internal friction over seat-sharing arrangements. The alliance, comprised of the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP(SP), has been grappling with disagreements between the Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) regarding seat allocation. The dispute has reached a point where the Congress cancelled its Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting to finalize candidates, and both parties have sought the intervention of NCP(SP) president Sharad Pawar, who is considered the senior-most leader in the alliance and a unifying force. The parties are particularly at odds over seats in Vidarbha, a region considered a stronghold by the Congress but also sought by the Sena (UBT).
Despite the tension, both the Congress and the Sena (UBT) maintain that the disagreements are limited to a few seats and will be resolved soon. The Congress has already completed discussions for 96 seats, and hopes to announce a candidate list after further talks with Sharad Pawar and Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. The Sena (UBT), on the other hand, emphasizes the need for sacrifice and compromise in the national interest, citing their earlier gesture of giving up three seats to the Congress during the Lok Sabha polls. The Congress leadership, meanwhile, has firmly dismissed reports of any internal pressure to go solo in the elections, asserting that the MVA alliance is strong and will not break.
The MVA meeting on Tuesday will be crucial in determining the fate of the alliance and its ability to present a united front in the elections. The outcome of the meeting will likely have a significant impact on the political landscape of Maharashtra. While both parties express confidence in the strength of the alliance, the challenges in seat-sharing negotiations are a reminder of the complexities and potential pitfalls involved in multi-party coalitions. The role of Sharad Pawar as a mediator will be critical in bridging the differences and ensuring the alliance's survival in the face of these internal tensions.
Source: Amid Sena UBT-Cong tussle over seats, MVA meet tomorrow to break stalemate