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Following extensive meetings chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seems to have finalized a seat-sharing formula for Maharashtra. According to sources reported by Indian Express, the BJP is poised to contest 32 out of the 48 parliamentary seats in the state, with the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena set to contest 11 seats and the NCP led by Ajit Pawar expected to contest 5 seats.
The discussions presided over by Shah involved key figures such as Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
If this arrangement holds, it marks a significant victory for the BJP, as its allies had previously been vying for a larger share of seats. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, when in alliance with the unified Shiv Sena, the BJP contested 25 seats and won 23, while the Shiv Sena contested 23 seats and won 18. The unified NCP, in alliance with the Congress, won 4 seats.
With the breakaway Shinde Sena now commanding the support of 12 out of the Sena’s 18 MPs, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP securing 1 out of the NCP’s 4 MPs, there had been demands for tickets from all seats won previously by these factions.
The negotiations over seat distribution had raised concerns about potential discord within the alliance, prompting Shah’s intervention. Sources cited by Indian Express indicate that ground reports and the prospects of winning candidates ultimately influenced the decision-making process. A senior BJP official emphasized the importance of unity among alliance partners, focusing on the overarching goal of securing over 45 seats in Maharashtra.
While there has been no official confirmation from the BJP, Shinde Sena, or NCP (Ajit Pawar) regarding the finalized agreement, the anticipated seat-sharing arrangement solidifies the BJP’s position as the dominant force within the ruling coalition. Both the Shinde Sena and NCP (Ajit Pawar) are seen as scaled-down versions of their respective parties, highlighting the BJP’s ascendancy in Maharashtra politics.
Historically a junior partner in its alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena, the BJP has steadily expanded its influence. In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP secured 105 out of the 288 seats.
Shah’s visit to Maharashtra included several party meetings and rallies across various constituencies, underscoring the party’s concerted efforts to consolidate its position ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
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