On one side, the dispute regarding seat sharing of Mahavikas Aghadi in Maharashtra has been claimed to be resolved. On the other hand, discord has started in the Congress itself. It is being said that Rahul is angry with the Congressmen for giving the strong seats of Mumbai and Vidarbha to Uddhav. Rahul also expressed his displeasure in the Congress Election Committee meeting on Friday (25 October).
According to sources associated with Congress, Rahul said that the seats on which we were strong were given to Uddhav because some people wanted to get tickets for their sons and daughters.
Rahul is angry with which seats were given?
According to Congress sources, Rahul expressed his displeasure over Mumbai’s Bandra-East, Nashik-Central, Ramtek and Amravati seats being given to Shiv Sena (UBT). Rahul said that Congress’s performance on these seats in 2019 was excellent. Still why did we give it to Shiv Sena (UBT)?
Congress had won the Bandra East seat in 2019. Congress was at second position in Nashik Central. Last time an independent candidate had won the Ramtek seat. Shiv Sena did not contest elections from here. Despite this, this time this seat has been given to Shiv Sena (UBT).
However, it is being said that Shiv Sena (Uddhav) may give up its claim on one or two of these seats. Sanjay Raut had also hinted at this recently.
The high command is also angry with the leaders of Maharashtra that when initially Shiv Sena (Uddhav) and NCP (Sharad) were ready to give more seats to Congress, then why was there equal distribution later?
It is being said that angry Rahul left the Congress Election Committee meeting midway. However, the meeting continued for an hour even after this. Now Congress will resolve the seats on which there is a lot of trouble by holding a meeting through video conference.
There was tension regarding seat distribution
There was a tussle between Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) regarding seat sharing. It is said that on about 20-25 seats, Nana Patole of Congress and Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (Uddhav) were not ready to back down. Ultimately the Congress high command fielded Balasaheb Thorat in place of Nana Patole.
Thorat met Sharad Pawar and Uddhav and prepared the basis for seat sharing. Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad) will contest on equal number of seats.
Apart from this, Shetkari Sangathan, Samajwadi Party and CPM have been given place in the alliance. The number of seats given to these parties has not been disclosed yet.
Leaders’ families also in the ticket race
Many leaders of Maharashtra Congress are busy in getting tickets for their family members. Former Speaker Bala Saheb Thorat is seeking a ticket for his daughter Jayshree, while Leader of Opposition Vijay Wattevider is also trying to get a ticket for his family.
Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad’s sister Jyoti has been given ticket from Dharavi seat. At the same time, Congress has also given tickets to both the sons of Vilasrao Deshmukh from Latur.
Nominations till October 29, elections on November 20
The last date for nomination for all 288 seats in Maharashtra is 29th October. After this, the work of withdrawal of names and scrutiny will take place. Voting is proposed for all 288 seats of Maharashtra on 20th November. Maharashtra results will come on 23rd November.
To form the government in the state, victory on 145 seats is necessary. This time Mahayuti (Shiv Sena-Shinde, BJP and NCP-Ajit) is contesting from Mahavikas Aghadi (Shiv Sena-Uddhav, Congress and NCP-Sharad).
In 2019, Bharatiya Janata Party became the largest party by winning 105 seats, but NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress together formed the government. However, after the split in Shivsena in 2022, BJP got a chance to come to power.
