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As the Lok Sabha elections draw near, the Grand Alliance finds itself embroiled in internal discord, delaying the finalization of the candidate list. The coalition, comprising various political parties, grapples with a rift over seat allocation, particularly in three crucial constituencies, casting doubt on the alliance’s unity and cohesion.
At the heart of the dispute lie the Thane, Palghar, and Ratnagiri Lok Sabha constituencies, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vying for representation in at least one of these seats. However, Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde staunchly opposes ceding ground, especially in Thane, his political stronghold. The absence of a viable candidate from the Shinde camp for the Thane seat complicates matters further, prompting BJP’s insistence on claiming a share.
The impasse has prompted intervention from the central leadership of the BJP, urging a swift resolution to the deadlock. The fate of the alliance hangs in the balance as stakeholders grapple with the dilemma: will they overcome the hurdle or succumb to internal strife?
Amidst mounting pressure, BJP has signaled its willingness to compromise, agreeing to contest either the Palghar or Ratnagiri seat. However, consensus remains elusive, prompting directives from Delhi for a renewed round of discussions to iron out differences and reach a settlement.
The allocation of seats within the Grand Alliance remains contentious, with discrepancies in the proposed distribution. While BJP is slated to contest 30 seats, Shiv Sena and NCP are allocated 13 and 5 seats, respectively. However, this formula fails to appease Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, who advocate for a larger share of seats for their respective parties.
Adding to the complexity is the inclusion of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), further exacerbating tensions within the alliance. Raj Thackeray’s demand for three seats, including South Mumbai, Shirdi, and Nashik, presents a new challenge, particularly as the Shinde group holds sway in Shirdi and Nashik. Moreover, Eknath Shinde opposes MNS’s inclusion, labeling them as outsiders and advocating for their exclusion from the alliance.
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