MVA Talks Hit Snag: Congress Rejects Shiv Sena (UBT)’s 23-Seat Demand in Maharashtra

Mumbai: Cracks have appeared in the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance as Congress has rejected Shiv Sena (UBT)’s demand for 23 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This decision follows internal discussions among the MVA partners – Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP – regarding seat-sharing arrangements.

The Shiv Sena, currently divided into two factions, sought 23 out of the 48 seats in Maharashtra. However, Congress leaders pointed to their consistent vote share in the state, particularly considering the internal divisions within both Shiv Sena and NCP.

Senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan acknowledged the need for adjustments but deemed Shiv Sena’s demand “excessive” given the current political climate. Sanjay Nirupam, another Congress leader, highlighted Shiv Sena (UBT)’s lack of candidates due to the party split, questioning the practicality of 23 seats.

Notably, Shiv Sena (UBT) had already held discussions with prominent Congress figures like Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and K C Venugopal before the formal seat-sharing negotiations.

It’s important to remember that the undivided Shiv Sena was part of the BJP-led NDA alliance in 2019. However, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction is now a member of the MVA coalition alongside Congress and NCP.

The June 2022 split within Shiv Sena, with Eknath Shinde leading 40 MLAs in rebellion, resulted in the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government. Shinde subsequently formed a new government with the BJP’s support.