In the intricate dance of political alliances, the NDA partners find themselves entangled in a web of negotiations regarding seat allocations in Maharashtra, a state renowned for contributing the second-highest number of Members of Parliament to the esteemed Lok Sabha.

The ongoing deadlock is a consequence of the three pivotal allies – the BJP, under the leadership of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP – each vying for a more substantial share in the political bargain. This impasse raises concerns within the BJP, apprehensive that the protracted tug-of-war might jeopardize the saffron party’s electoral prospects leading up to the imminent Lok Sabha polls in the state.

Per tradition, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, stationed in Mumbai for troubleshooting, convened a nocturnal meeting on Tuesday with leaders from the involved parties. Despite concerted efforts, achieving a consensus seems elusive at this juncture.

Shah initiated discussions with key allies at approximately 10:15 pm, attempting to sway Deputy Chief Minister Pawar in the company of BJP luminary Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for a duration of thirty minutes.

Subsequently, a protracted session, lasting nearly an hour, unfolded between Shah and Chief Minister Shinde. Of the 48 Lok Sabha seats within the state’s purview, the BJP aspires to field candidates in 30 seats, deeming them pivotal to securing a formidable 370 seats nationwide and propelling the NDA toward the coveted 400-seat milestone.

Insider sources reveal the BJP’s willingness to cede 12 seats to the Shiv Sena-Sinde faction and an additional six to the NCP, a proposition met with discontent among the allies.

Shinde, assert insiders, advocates for a more considerable share, specifically 23 seats. In the 2019 electoral foray, the BJP secured victory in 23 out of 25 contested seats, while Shiv Sena, contesting 23 seats, emerged triumphant in 18. Relying on the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP staunchly asserts its position as the predominant party in the Maharashtra Assembly.

Adding complexity to the equation, Ajit Pawar’s NCP, a recent entrant to the coalition, introduces a bargaining dynamic, seeking allocation for ten Lok Sabha seats.