Maharashtra | Rift in MVA to the fore over Vidarbha seats; Chennithala steps in

The rift between the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners has come to the fore once again with Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole engaging in a face-off with Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut over the stalemate regarding 28 contentious seats out of the total 288 Assembly segments.

Subsequently, the Congress on Saturday rushed its senior leader and Maharashtra affairs in-charge Ramesh Chennithala to Mumbai to meet Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray amid media reports that the Sena (UBT) has threatened not to hold any deliberations with the grand old party in the presence of Patole. Chennithala downplayed the visit, saying he met Thackeray to inquire about his health. However, he succeeded in ensuring that the stalled seat-sharing discussions among MVA constituents will resume now.

Clash over Vidarbha seats

Raut had on Friday alleged that Maharashtra Congress leaders were incapable of making decisions on distribution of seats and sought to instil a sense of urgency in wrapping up talks as just a month is left for voting. “The pending decision should be expedited. Very little time is left (for voting). Maharashtra Congress leaders are not capable of making decisions. They have to send the list to Delhi (central leadership) frequently and then discussions happen. The decision (on constituency allocation) will have to be taken at the earliest,” he emphasised.

Also Read: Maharashtra | Poll schedule out, but Mahayuti, MVA grapple to seal seat-sharing deal

Referring to the Congress’ alleged refusal to part with some seats in eastern Vidarbha, Raut resorted to some plain speak, saying, “Vidarbha is a part of Maharashtra and not a separate state. We gave two of our traditional seats – Amravati and Ramtek – to the Congress in the Lok Sabha polls and now our workers feel that we should get more seats in the Assembly polls. I don’t think there is anything wrong if we hope now.”

As per media reports, Shiv Sena (UBT) insisted on 10 seats in the Vidarbha region in addition to some seats in Ramtek and Nagpur. However, the state Congress chief rejected their demand, claiming that their party had better prospects of winning from those seats.

Notably, Raut continued to target the Congress on Saturday as well. Apparently taking a dig at the Congress, Raut said the seat-sharing talks between his party and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) have concluded as these two parties are driven by a desire and mindset to resolve issues.

His remarks came a day after he traded barbs with Patole. Talking to reporters, Raut said the current national politics is being driven by regional parties and his party's stand is that they must get space in their respective states.

Patole admits logjam

Reacting to Raut's remarks, Patole noted there was a stalemate in the MVA over 25 to 30 assembly seats, and maintained the party's state unit will abide by any decision its high command takes on the matter. He did not elaborate further, but the stalemate is believed to be on several seats, particularly in Mumbai and Vidarbha, where MVA parties are making competing claims, thus delaying a final pact.

“There are roughly 48 seats in the Shiv Sena (UBT) list and we (Congress) have given up our claim on 18 of them. There are 25 to 30 seats where there is a dispute. We have informed our party high command about it, and we will abide by whatever decision our leadership takes on this,” Patole said.

“Will (Sena-UBT leader) Sanjay Raut and (NCP- SP's Maharashtra chief) Jayant Patil take any final decision without consulting (their party chiefs) Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, respectively,” wondered the Congress leader, seeking to deflect criticism on delay in clinching a pre-poll pact.

Also Read: Will back any CM nominated by Cong or NCP to 'save' Maharashtra: Uddhav

The Sena (UBT) is learnt to have proposed a formula of 100 seats for the Congress and Sena (UBT) each, and 88 for the NCP (SP). Patole, the reports said, however, has refused to climb down from 125 seats for the Congress, and is not ready to share seats in Vidarbha with the Sena (UBT).

Thackeray’s word of caution

Meanwhile, Sena (UBT) chief Thackeray on Friday cautioned that haggling among allies, particularly the Congress, must not be allowed to reach a breaking point.

Addressing a press conference, the Sena (UBT) chief maintained he has not heard from his party leaders involved in seat-sharing talks with other MVA constituents that there was any major issue in clinching a deal for the November 20 elections to the 288-member Assembly.

Seat-sharing talks among partners in the opposition alliance -- the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) -- were in final stages and a deal could be sealed by in the next 2 to 3 days, Thackeray said. “Haggling among allies must not be allowed to reach a breaking point,” the former CM cautioned as talks among MVA parties for allocation of seats dragged on.

Thackeray asserted the political scenario in Maharashtra has changed and people have decided to bring the opposition MVA to power in the Assembly polls.

The MVA and the ruling Mahayuti are yet to declare their much-awaited seat-sharing pact. The elections to the 288-member state assembly will be held on November 20, and votes will be counted on November 23.

(With agency inputs)