Maharashtra: MVA continues to grapple with seat-sharing woes as VBA threat looms

Even as the seat-sharing woes among the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituents in Maharashtra are far from over, the Congress proposal to have “friendly fights” in 6 Lok Sabha constituencies has further widened the rift between the alliance partners.

The NCP (SP) and the Shiv Sena (UBT) have strongly opposed the move, contending that the consequent division of votes will benefit the BJP. However, the Congress has made it clear that it is firm on contesting Sangli, Bhiwandi and Mumbai South Central Lok Sabha seats, given that no agreement on the seat-sharing formula has been reached among the MVA partners till now. The party has also lodged strong objection to Shiv Sena (UBT) unilaterally declaring its candidates for Mumbai South Central and Sangli seat, and the NCP (SP) staking a claim on Bhiwandi constituency.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said “friendly fights” would help the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. “Congress is a mature party and I don't think it will allow friendly fights to help the BJP,” Raut said while talking to the media.

On a lighter note, he said that such friendly fights should happen on all 48 seats in Maharashtra as well as in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. He went on to say that there will be no discussion on seats anymore.

Pawar’s truce bid

Sources said Sharad Pawar recently asked the MVA partners to put up a united front in the elections without bringing internal disputes to the fore. He also expressed surprise over the alacrity with which Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) announced its first list of 16 candidates, including for those seats claimed by the Congress. Top Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress leaders were also present in the meeting. This was when Congress leaders upheld their claim on the Sangli, Bhiwandi and Mumbai South Central seats, declaring their unwillingness to cede any ground.

The issue has been discussed time and again during previous meetings. Sharad Pawar himself had mediated and tried to forge a consensus. Mediation from the Congress high command in Delhi has yielded no results either. Instead, the issue is becoming increasingly contentious.

VBA going solo

Adding to MVA’s troubles, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar on Sunday announced that he would contest Lok Sabha elections from Akola in the Vidarbha region, and his party plans to contest 27 out of the 48 seats in the state.

Ambedkar also said that the internal feud among the MVA constituents over seat sharing would not be resolved. He said the VBA would announce its other candidates soon. The VBA decided to go it alone in the general elections after its seat-sharing talks with the MVA did not reach a consensus. Miffed with NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT), Ambedkar, however, offered support to the Congress on seven Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.

Ambedkar’s political outfit could damage the poll prospects of MVA in view of the fact that the VBA, along with another regional party, secured a vote share of 6.92% in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, and each and every vote will count in this year’s fiercely contested Lok Sabha polls.

In 2019, VBA candidates are believed to have dented the chances of Congress-NCP nominees in at least eight seats. The VBA managed to secure at least 1.5-2 lakh votes in these constituencies. The consequent split in votes directly benefited the then alliance between BJP and undivided Shiv Sena, which won 41 of 48 seats in the state.

Mulling third front

Ambedkar has also hinted at forming a third front against the ruling BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra after a breakdown in seat-sharing talks with MVA. “We will engage with various organisations in the state to combat the BJP. Our next plan will be announced after discussions on April 2,” he said.

Ambedkar said he had a meeting with Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil over the Lok Sabha polls and was keen on fielding Maratha candidates from each constituency. The VBA's candidate list will be finalised soon, he added.

Regarding discussions with MVA leaders, Ambedkar clarified that while the party wasn't invited to meetings, its doors remain open. Ambedkar accused Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut of creating a discord within MVA, even as he stressed his goal of uniting against the BJP. However, Raut said the VBA was offered five seats, including Akola.

Why VBA holds key

Founded by Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr BR Ambedkar, the VBA has scattered pockets of influence across the state with a sizeable following among the Dalit community, Muslims and other castes, which have traditionally supported the Congress.

Following the political churning in 2019, which witnessed Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP joining hands to form the MVA government, the VBA tried to maintain an equal distance from the MVA and the BJP.

The VBA hogged the limelight again in 2022 after Uddhav Thackeray and Ambedkar announced their alliance at an event. However, it didn’t make the VBA a constituent of the MVA. Subsequently, other MVA constituents stated that the Shiv Sena (UBT) will have to accommodate the VBA from its share of seats.

Though the MVA later involved Ambedkar in seat-sharing talks, it didn’t materialise as he was eyeing a larger share of seats than what was being offered to him. Initially, Ambedkar had demanded 26 seats for the VBA. However, the MVA offered him four seats. He had also suggested that all four partners should distribute 12 seats each, but the proposal was shot down by the MVA.

Ambedkar had also proposed VBA's inclusion in the INDIA bloc and had also sought a meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, which did not materialise. The Congress apparently is not ready to trust Ambedkar who has earned the tag of being an “unpredictable politician” in his career spanning over four decades.

Meanwhile, Ambedkar has his own apprehensions. While he is confident of emerging victorious in Akola, he fears that VBA's vote bank might be captured by Congress or MVA if he joins the alliance. Thus, he wants to maintain an equal distance or ensure he gets enough seats to maintain his strength.