Congress leaders met their Maharashtra allies today (9 January) to continue negotiations on seat-sharing as part of the Opposition's strategy against the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) Sanjay Raut, after the meeting, stated that the "crucial meeting concerning seat sharing in the state has concluded". He further emphasised unity amidst ongoing struggles, confirming discussions have taken place on a 1-to-1 basis across all seats and indicating a potential alliance with Prakash Ambedkar's party, as reported by ABP News reporter Deepak Rawat.
"...All of the members of Maha Vikas Aghadi came out of the meeting with a smile...Maha Vikas Aghadi members- Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP, sat down to discuss seat-sharing... I want to assure everyone that we will fight elections together. We have no differences about seat sharing...We discussed in detail about the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA)," Sanjay Raut was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant said that if there will be any alliance in I.N.D.I.A bloc, it will first be made in Maharashtra.
Responding to a question asked by news agency ANI's reporter regarding the earlier remarks by NCP leader Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole about seat sharing in the state, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said: "I think they are very mature leaders. MVA had run a government in Maharashtra. They know how to go about things. All three parties know their strengths and weaknesses. If there will be any alliance in I.N.D.I.A bloc, it will be first made in Maharashtra."
It is to be noted that the meeting is taking place amidst the backdrop of the Shiv Sena, led by former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, declaring its intention to contest 23 seats in Maharashtra. Nevertheless, Thackeray assured that the party would not take any actions that harm the alliance.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, along with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar and the Congress.
Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut told news agency ANI, "...We have called an important meeting here today to discuss Maharashtra's seat sharing. Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP have been called...There is no fight (regarding seats) in Maharashtra...There can be some differences on 2-3 seats but we will discuss it..."
Calling the meeting preliminary, Sharad Pawar said, "Discussion on seat sharing will take place in today's meeting. When several parties come together, aggressive demands are made but everyone should work together to find a way that should work in the state where they do not have dominance. I don't think Congress is trying to overrule the INDI Alliance..."
Previously, Raut stated that the national party would have to begin seat negotiations from "zero" due to their lack of constituency wins in the state in 2019.
State Congress chief Nana Patole told ANI: "Seat sharing in MVA will be smooth. Seats will be shared based on merit and MVA has to defeat BJP on all seats for which, the entire plan is ready".
NCP leader Dr Jitendra Awhad said that nothing has been finalised yet regarding the seat-sharing pattern for Lok Sabha polls in the state.
"Nothing has been finalised yet; when it (seat-sharing) happens, senior leaders will tell you. The meeting is still going on, there is no doubt that it will yield very good results. We have also demanded that we want Prakash Ambedkar with us," he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
The Congress units in Delhi and Punjab oppose any alliance with the AAP, which is in power in both states.
The Congress faces a similar challenge in Bengal, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has stated that her party will vote alone, despite the Trinamool being a key member of the I.N.D.I.A bloc.