This is an archive article published on June 5, 2023
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In Maharashtra, Congress sets the agenda: ‘Not going to rush with seat-sharing formula’
The state unit will further undertake a public outreach tour where its leaders will be visiting each LS constituency, where public meetings will be held and rallies will be organised.
The state unit will further undertake a public outreach tour where its leaders will be visiting each LS constituency, where public meetings will be held and rallies will be organised. (Express Photo)
Despite insistence from Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) Ajit Pawar group on an early seat-sharing announcement of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress is unlikely to oblige.
The Maharashtra unit of the Congress party has undertaken an exercise to review the party preparations in all 48 Lok Sabha seats, based on which demands will be raised in the next meeting of MVA leaders for seat-sharing. The Congress leaders in the state have categorically maintained that there will be no discussion on which seats will be contested, but only a review of all 48 seats will be taken.
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When asked about the seat-sharing, Congress sources said there is no question of distribution of seats at this stage. “The meeting of MVA leaders to discuss seat-sharing is unlikely in a month. There is no need to rush with the seat-sharing as we are undertaking a survey in the state to gauge ground reality,” said a senior Congress leader.
The state unit will further undertake a public outreach tour where its leaders will be visiting each LS constituency, where public meetings will be held and rallies will be organised.
On the contrary, NCP’s Ajit Pawar and leaders close to him have been insisting on early announcement of seat-sharing for Lok Sabha. Party MP from Raigad Sunil Tatkare, known as the closest aide of Ajit Pawar, had recently said in the Town Hall organised by The Indian Express that seat-sharing should be announced at the earliest which will give more time to prepare for the general elections in 2024 and will also give clarity about how MVA is going to take on the ruling dispensation. However, Congress sources reject the idea.
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“Earlier, it was a two-party affair and now we are three. This isn’t going to be a smooth process as each of us will have to do adjustments and workers at ground level need to be made accept the decision,” said a Congress leader and former minister. According to him, announcing seat-sharing so early would mean giving time to instigate infighting and fuel the differences as they will arise for sure during negotiations. “And more importantly, it is always better to keep our cards hidden from the BJP till the very end,” he said.
The state unit will further undertake a public outreach tour where its leaders will be visiting each LS constituency, where public meetings will be held and rallies will be organised. (Express Photo) 
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