Seat-Sharing Dispute Intensifies Ahead of Maharashtra MLC Elections
Maharashtra MLC polls: Eknath Shinde flies to Delhi as Mahayuti seat row escalates
Image: The Indian Express
Eknath Shinde, the Shiv Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has traveled to Delhi amid escalating tensions over seat-sharing for the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council elections. The Shiv Sena demands seven seats while the BJP aims for 11 to 12, leading to a deadlock that could impact the electoral strategy ahead of voting on June 18.
- 01The Maharashtra Legislative Council elections will be held for 16 seats from local self-government constituencies and one bypoll seat in Nagpur.
- 02Voting is scheduled for June 18, with counting set for June 22.
- 03The main contention lies over the Thane local authorities constituency, with both the BJP and the Shinde-led Sena claiming it as their stronghold.
- 04BJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar argues that the BJP has a stronger presence in Thane, with 444 corporators compared to 346 from the Shinde-led Sena.
- 05A final decision on the seat-sharing dispute is expected to be made at a meeting involving Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shinde, and NCP leader Sunetra Pawar.
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Eknath Shinde, the Shiv Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has flown to Delhi as tensions rise over seat-sharing for the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council elections. The Shiv Sena is demanding seven seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to contest 11 to 12 seats, leaving three for the Sena and two to three for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sunetra Pawar. The elections are set for June 18, with counting on June 22. The dispute centers particularly around the Thane local authorities constituency, which both the BJP and the Shinde-led Sena claim as their traditional stronghold. BJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar has stated that the BJP holds the advantage in numbers, citing their 444 corporators in the region compared to 346 from the Sena and their allies. Despite reaching agreements on most seats, the Thane constituency remains a sticking point. The final decision on this dispute is anticipated during a meeting between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shinde, and Pawar on Monday.
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The outcome of the seat-sharing negotiations will directly influence the electoral strategy and representation in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, affecting local governance and political dynamics.
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