MVA meeting on assembly polls seat-sharing ends inconclusively

Congress leader and MLA Aslam Shaikh stated the seat-sharing formula will be finalised only after consultations with the Congress high command. “The discussion is ongoing and the final seat-sharing arrangement will be decided only after discussions and approval from the Congress high command,” Shaikh said, declining to comment any further.

Raut, however, told The Indian Express, “Our discussions were positive. The 99 percent seat-sharing for Mumbai has already been sorted out, and discussions for the remaining seats in Maharashtra are also progressing. The discussions and meetings will continue for some more time, and we will make an announcement soon.”

Sources indicate that Shiv Sena (UBT) had insisted on 20-22 seats in Mumbai out of the 36 available, while Congress sought to claim seats claimed by Sena (UBT), causing delays in finalising the arrangement. NCP is also laid claim to 5-7 seats contested by Sena (UBT) and Congress. According to sources, beyond the seats won by MVA parties in 2019, 16 additional seats were under negotiation, with disputes involving all three parties. Some seats are being contested between Sena (UBT) and Congress.

“Given that there are counterclaims to some Mumbai seats, discussions will take additional time. There is also a need to exchange some seats between parties. So another meeting will be scheduled soon in Mumbai,” a senior MVA leader said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) seeks to retain its influence in Mumbai and is reportedly aiming for 22 of the 36 seats in the state capital, where it won 14 seats in the 2019 Assembly elections. Raut denied making any specific demands, stating, “No, we have neither demanded 20 seats nor 22 seats,” and declined to provide further details.

At a meeting on Saturday, the three parties agreed to exchange seats in constituencies such as Anushaktinagar, Bandra, and Chandivali.