In a major political development ahead of the Upper House elections, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has announced veteran leader Sharad Pawar as its official candidate for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Maharashtra.
Pawar, who leads the Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP), has been chosen as the consensus nominee of the alliance, marking a significant show of unity within the opposition bloc.
Congress Withdraws Claim, Backs Pawar
Earlier, the Congress had staked claim to the seat. However, senior Congress leader and MLA Vijay Wadettiwar confirmed that the party would now support Pawar in line with MVA’s coalition principles.
He stated that the decision was taken after consultations with the Congress high command led by Mallikarjun Kharge, who endorsed Pawar’s candidature for the Maharashtra seat.
The move is being seen as an attempt by the alliance to consolidate opposition votes and avoid internal contest in a crucial election.
BJP Announces Four Candidates
The MVA announcement came shortly after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its list of candidates for Maharashtra. The BJP has fielded Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, senior leader Vinod Tawde, former Nagpur mayor Maya Chintaman Ivnate and Ramrao Wadkute.
With seven Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra set to fall vacant, the contest is expected to draw significant political attention.
Rajya Sabha Poll Schedule
The Election Commission has scheduled the Rajya Sabha elections for March 16, 2026. The Upper House has a total strength of 245 members.
This year, elections will be conducted in three phases:
- March 16 for 37 seats
- June 24 for 24 seats
- November 11 for 11 seats
The March 16 phase is the largest, covering multiple states including Maharashtra.
Political Significance
By fielding Sharad Pawar, the MVA appears to be banking on his seniority and political stature to secure the seat comfortably. The Congress decision to step aside signals strategic coordination within the alliance as it faces the BJP in key parliamentary contests.
The Rajya Sabha elections are expected to influence the balance of power in the Upper House in the coming months, with Maharashtra playing a crucial role in shaping the final numbers.
