Meeting in Delhi: MVA leaders to finalise seat sharing on Jan 14, 15

On Monday, NCP led by Sharad Pawar held its internal meetings for Raver, Bhiwandi, Ahmadnagar, Satara, Hatkanangle, Kolhapur and Sangli Lok Sabha seats in a bid to prepare for the final talks. “The party will be practical while making demands. Winning capacity is the only criteria for seat sharing. We do not want to make demands and spend our energy unnecessarily,” said Jitendra Awhad, a senior party MLA and former Maharashtra minister.

The seat sharing talks between the MVA allies have landed in trouble over various statements from leaders, with Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut staking claim on 23 seats. NCP leader and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule last week said that the talks between parties have been finalised and the official announcement would happen in the next 8 to 10 days. Neither Sena nor Congress state leaders voiced in affirmative to Sule’s statement.

On Sunday, former Union minister and Congress leader Milind Deora warned the Sena (UBT) to not stake claim on Lok Sabha seats without the completion of seat sharing talks and said that even Congress can do the same. The Congress has already appointed coordinators for all 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra. Party state unit president Nana Patole has already said that the seat sharing should be on the criteria of winnability.