New Delhi: Following Shiv Sena's (UBT) release of its initial list of candidates in Maharashtra for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Maharashtra Congress expressed its disapproval, saying the Sena should have refrained from announcing candidates for Mumbai South Central, Bhiwandi, and Sangli, as discussions regarding those seats were still ongoing.
Balasaheb Thorat, senior Congress leader and a member of the MVA negotiating committee, said, "Sena should not have announced the candidates for Mumbai South Central and Sangli. These were still under discussion," reported ANI.
Thorat urged Sena (UBT) to reconsider its decision.
"The Congress leaders are angy at the list released by the Uddhav Shiv Sena today. I would request the Sena to reconsider its candidates list that it has announced. Discussions were on in some of the seats and everyone was expected to follow the spirit of the Aghadi," Thorat said while speaking in a video statement on Wednesday, as per the ANI report.
Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituents Congress, Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) have been holding seat-sharing discussions for the 48 constituencies in Maharashtra, where the Lok Sabha polls will be held in five phases starting April 19.
Amid the talks, Sena (UBT) earlier in the day released its first list of 17 candidates for the upcoming elections and said it will contest a total of 22 seats in the state.
Congress Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat said the announcement was not right. "Everyone must follow coalition dharma. Shiv Sena (UBT) must reconsider its decision," Thorat said.
Thorat questioned the announcement of seats while discussions on some seats were still ongoing. "Discussion was ongoing, on the seats of Sangli, Bhiwandi and South Central Mumbai. In such a situation, how can candidates' names be announced in a one-sided manner. This issue will be discussed in the next meeting of Mahavikas Aghadi," Thorat said, reported PTI.