Maharashtra Polls: Mahayuti Seat-Sharing Talks To Cover Remaining 80 Seats, Says BJP’s Ashish Shelar

Mahayuti, which includes the BJP, the Shiv Sena, and the NCP, is yet to formally announce the distribution of seats among its constituents for the 288-member assembly election in Maharashtra.

File photo of Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar.

Source : PTI

Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar revealed on Wednesday that the seat-sharing formula among Maharashtra's Mahayuti allies would only cover 80 assembly seats, as the ruling coalition already has the backing of 208 MLAs, making discussions for those seats unnecessary.

The ruling grand alliance, Mahayuti, which includes the BJP, the Shiv Sena, and the NCP, is yet to formally announce the distribution of seats among its constituents for the 288-member assembly election in Maharashtra.

When asked about the progress on seat-sharing at the 'India Today Conclave', Shelar said, "We have the support of 208 MLAs. Thus, there is no need to discuss those seats. We will be discussing the distribution of the remaining 80 seats among us."

He also predicted a split within the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance before the assembly elections. The MVA includes the Congress, the NCP (SP), and the Shiv Sena (UBT).

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However, details of the meeting were not revealed. But, Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, later confirmed that the meeting was positive and "everything was going on smoothly."

Upon the seat-sharing formula, he said, "The meeting was positive and a decision will be taken soon. Talks are moving ahead positively with co-ordination." Along with Praful Patel, who is the party's working president, Ajit Pawar also took part in the meeting.

Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule stated last week that Mahayuti partners had reached a consensus on "70 to 80 per cent" of the 288 assembly seats.

In the recently held Lok Sabha elections, the ruling coalition underperformed in Maharashtra, winning only 17 out of 48 seats, while the MVA secured victories in 30 constituencies.