The Maharashtra assembly elections are heating up as the ruling coalition, known as Mahayuti, prepares to defend its position against the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The Mahayuti coalition includes Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, the BJP, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP. They are focused on retaining power, while the MVA, which consists of the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and Congress, aims to gain a majority and replace the current government.
Seat-Sharing Discussions
Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Maharashtra to discuss seat-sharing agreements among the coalition partners. Reports indicate that the provisional allocation suggests:
- BJP: Approximately 155 seats
- Shiv Sena: 85-90 seats
- NCP: About 45 seats
A final agreement on these allocations is expected to be announced soon. During his visit, Shah met with key leaders, including Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, to strategize on how to strengthen their positions in various regions of Maharashtra, particularly in areas where they have struggled in past elections.
The coalition’s strategy also involves addressing weaknesses in regions like Vidarbha, Marathwada, and North Maharashtra, where they have historically performed poorly. The ongoing Maratha quota dispute has been a significant challenge in these areas. Shah’s visit aimed to counteract the rising popularity of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, especially in western Maharashtra.
In the previous assembly elections held in 2019, the BJP contested 164 seats but is now willing to share some of these with its allies to strengthen the coalition. A BJP leader mentioned that they have “sacrificed some of our seats for the greater good of the alliance,” expecting similar cooperation from their partners.
The alliance partners are anticipated to announce their first list of candidates by early October, as elections are scheduled for November 2024. This upcoming election is crucial for both the ruling coalition and the opposition as they seek to solidify their influence in Maharashtra.
On the other side, the NCP (SP) has voiced concerns about discontent among voters regarding the ruling coalition’s performance. They predict that Mahayuti will struggle to secure more than 100 seats due to growing resentment towards BJP’s central leadership. This sentiment was echoed by NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase, who noted that each visit by central leaders seems to diminish support for Mahayuti.
In summary, as Maharashtra gears up for its assembly elections, both alliances are actively strategizing and preparing for what promises to be a competitive political battle.