Lok Sabha elections 2024: MVA finalises seat-sharing, Sena (UBT) to lead charge

Congress will be contesting 17 seats in the state while NCP (SP) is set to contest 10 seats. With its candidates fighting from 21 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) has the maximum share in the arrangement.

Mumbai: After months of discussions and heated exchanges, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) finalised the seat-sharing formula with Shiv Sena (UBT) bagging the lion’s share of 21 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats.

On the other hand, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) managed to secure 10 seats. 

The Congress, which leads the I.N.D.I.A. opposition bloc got 17 seats but with Thackeray and Pawar claiming the Sangli and Bhiwandi seats, respectively, has not gone down well within the leadership of the grand old party. 

The seat-sharing arrangement was announced on Tuesday coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Gudi Padwa at a  joint press conference addressed by Pawar, Thackeray and Congress leadership including state Congress President Nana Patole, Congress Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat an former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, state NCP (SP) President Jayant Patil and Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut. 

The MVA (I.N.D.I.A. opposition bloc) is taking on the BJP-led Maha Yuti (NDA) which includes Eknath Shinde-headed Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-spearheaded NCP.

The 21 Shiv Sena (UBT) seats are Jalgaon, Parbhani, Nashik, Palghar, Kalyan, Thane, Raigad, Maval, Osmanabad, Ratnagiri, Buldhana, Hatkanangle, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Shirdi, Sangli, Hingoli, Yavatmal-Washim, Mumbai South Central, Mumbai North-West, Mumbai South, Mumbai North-East.

The 17 seats that Congress secured are Nandurbar, Dhule, Akola, Amravati, Nagpur, Bhandara-Gondiya, Gadchiroli-Chimur, Chandrapur, Nanded, Jalna, Mumbai North, Mumbai North-Central, Pune, Latur, Solapur, Kolhapur, Ramtek.

The 10 NCP (SP) seats are Baramati, Shirur, Satara, Bhiwandi, Dindori, Madha, Raver, Wardha, Ahmednagar South, Beed.

Soon after the announcement, legendary Congressman and late Chief Minister’ Vasantdada Patil's grandson Vishal Patil, who was keen to contest and late Patangrao Kadam’s son and former minister Vishwajeet Kadam were “unreachable”.

There are chances that Patil may enter the fray as an Independent. A few days ago Thackeray’s party had announced the candidature of Chandrahar Patil, a wrestler, however, the Congress was hopeful. The BJP has fielded two-time sitting MP Sanjaykaka Patil. 

The Congress also gave up the claim on Bhiwandi from where Pawar’s party has already announced the candidature of Suresh alias Balya Mama Mhatre to take on two-time MP and union minister Kapil Patil of BJP. 

The Shiv Sena (UBT) claimed four of the six Mumbai seats and leaving two for Congress has not gone down well. “We took a step backward and did not surrender. We couldn't stretch the talks too far as the election process has already begun. The seat-sharing was finalised in consultations with the high command,” said Patole.

Mumbai Congress President Prof Varsha Gaikwad, who was upset, has shot off a letter to AICC general secretary in-charge of Organisation K C Venugopal.