In Mumbai, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi recently finalized a distribution arrangement for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Shiv Sena (UBT) secured the lion’s share with 21 seats, while the Congress will vie for 17 seats, and the NCP (SP) for 10. Following intense negotiations, the Congress relinquished its claim on the contentious Sangli and Bhiwandi seats, which are now contested by the Sena (UBT) and the NCP (SP) respectively.
The Sena (UBT) articulated that the primary aim of the alliance is to thwart the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), whereas the Congress expressed its magnanimity in pursuing this objective. After weeks of arduous discussions, the poll pact for the state’s 48 parliamentary seats was announced by NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, and state Congress president Nana Patole.
At ‘Shivalaya’, the Shiv Sena (UBT) headquarters in south Mumbai, Uddhav Thackeray, the party’s leader and former state chief minister, disclosed that the seat-sharing arrangement had been finalized. Emphasizing the importance of victory in an alliance and the overarching goal of defeating the BJP, he stated, “In pursuit of victory against the BJP, certain differences must be set aside.” Responding to inquiries regarding the Shiv Sena (UBT) withholding the Sangli seat from the Congress, Thackeray highlighted the peculiar occurrence of a “surya grahan” (solar eclipse), “amavasya” (new moon), and the BJP rally coinciding on the same day (Monday). He remarked, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s discourse yesterday did not befit that of a prime minister. Our critique should not be misconstrued as an affront to the prime minister. Our criticism pertains to the leader of a corrupt party.”
Addressing Modi’s characterization of their party as “fake Shiv Sena,” Thackeray retorted, “It is unjust for a leader of a party of extortionists to label us as fake.” Asserting that the BJP is a “party of extortionists,” Thackeray cited the revelation of the electoral bonds “scam” as evidence. Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole affirmed his party’s magnanimity in striving for the ultimate objective of defeating PM Modi and the BJP.
Patole declared that Congress workers would confront the BJP and secure victory for MVA candidates in Sangli and Bhiwandi. He recalled the ill-treatment meted out to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi by the BJP and emphasized the defection of leaders from Thackeray and Sharad Pawar’s parties. “Leaders of both original parties are aligned with us, yet Modi brands Uddhav Thackeray’s party as fake Shiv Sena,” Patole remarked.
Under the agreement, the Shiv Sena (UBT) secured seats in Jalgaon, Parbhani, Nashik, Palghar, Kalyan, Thane, Raigad, Maval, Osmanabad, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, Buldhana, Hathkanangkale, Aurangabad, Shirdi, Sangli, Hingoli, Yavatmal-Washim, Mumbai South, Mumbai South Central, Mumbai North West, and Mumbai North East.
The Congress obtained seats in Nandurbar, Dhule, Akola, Amravati, Nagpur, Bhandara-Gondia, Gadchiroli-Chimur, Chandrapur, Nanded, Jalna, Mumbai North Central, Mumbai North, Pune, Latur, Solapur, Kolhapur, and Ramtek. The NCP(SP) will contest in Baramati, Shirur, Satara, Bhiwandi, Dindori, Madha, Raver, Wardhan, Ahmednagar South, and Beed. The Lok Sabha polls are scheduled to be conducted in five phases from April 19 to May 20 in the state.