Sharad Pawar assured the unity of the MVA and the seat distribution formula for the Maharashtra elections has been finalized

In a high-stakes political drama, Sharad Pawar once again proved why he is considered the great strategist of Maharashtra politics. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-Sharad Pawar) chief intervened at a critical juncture to diffuse tensions between the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) factions and thus ensure the survival of the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA ), before insuring the state. elections for the municipal council.

The warring camps had reached an impasse over seat-sharing negotiations and threatened to break the alliance just as the November polls loomed. But Pawar’s timely intervention turned the tide. In a series of intense meetings, Pawar brought Congress and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena to the table, leading them to a deal where each party contested 85 seats, with 18 seats allotted to smaller partners in the coalition.

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Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut shared the breakthrough with the media in Mumbai on Wednesday evening, visibly relieved: “We met Sharad Pawar and he asked us to come together and announce that the seat-sharing issue has been resolved without any hitch. Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP will contest on 85 seats each and we are ready to take all 288 seats in the assembly.” Discussions on the remaining seats are in the final stages, while 18 seats will be allocated to small alliance partners.

Confirming Raut’s statement, Congress leader Nana Patole stressed that Pawar’s leadership had been crucial in finalizing the deal. “Sharad Pawar ensured that we move forward united and announced seat sharing,” Patole said.

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As the alliance celebrated the breakthrough, Shiv Sena (UBT) itself made an announcement – publishing the first list of 65 candidates. Aaditya Thackeray, Uddhav’s son and a rising star in the Sena, will contest from Worli in Mumbai, while in Thane’s Kopri-Panchpakhadi seat, where Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is contesting, the Sena will have Kedar Dighe, nephew of late Sena stalwart Anand Dighe , drafted. who had once been Shinde’s mentor.