Mahayuti Bloc's Seat-Sharing Declaration Postponed as 'Shinde Camp Upset with BJP'

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday called an urgent meeting of Shiv Sena as sources claimed that leaders from CM’s outfit are upset with the BJP. Amid rumours of discontent, Mahayuti bloc’s announcement on seat-sharing formula has been deferred.

Some leaders reportedly also objected to ally Bharatiya Janata Party fielding Amravati’s independent MP Navneet Rana.

Independent MLA Bacchu Kadu, an ally of the ruling side, and former MP Anandrao Adsul, who belongs to Shinde-led Shiv Sena, criticised BJP’s move.

Kadu described Rana’s candidature as the “downfall of democracy” and said she has to be defeated, while Adsul termed the move as Mahayuti’s “political suicide” and announced that even if his party does not support him, he would fight against her as an independent candidate.

Meanwhile, Shinde faction spokesperson Krishna Hegde met Bollywood actor Govinda at his Juhu home on Wednesday evening. Speculations are rife that Govinda may join Shiv Sena and will be given Lok Sabha poll ticket from North-West Mumbai seat.

According to a report by India Today, the Mahayuti alliance of BJP, Shinde’ Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP has almost finalised its seat-sharing deal for all 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.

The report quoted its sources as saying that according to the agreement, the BJP is likely to contest 28 seats, while Shiv Sena will field its candidates in 14 seats. The NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, has been allocated five constituencies, while Mahadeo Jankar’s Rashtriya Samaj Party (RSP) has been allocated one seat.

The decision on allocating a seat to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is yet to be made. If the alliance opts to allocate a seat to Raj Thackeray’s party, either Shiv Sena or BJP will have to sacrifice one seat, IT further stated quoting sources.