Supriya Sule says MVA seat-sharing fixed; Congress, Sena (UBT) speak in different voices

When asked about Sule’s statement on seat-sharing, state Congress president Nana Patole told The Indian Express that the criteria for seat-sharing is electoral merit and winnability. “What is wrong in what she has said? She is telling the truth. The criteria for seat-sharing arrangements is electoral merit and ability to win elections. Congress party is ready with it. The announcement will be made at the right time,” said Patole.

He further said that there is no fight within opposition over the number of seats to be contested. “It was Ajit Pawar who used to make seat-sharing a prestige issue. He is no longer in the alliance. It is a smooth process and we will share seats based on merit only,” he said.

Meanwhile, when contacted, a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, who is closely associated in the seat-sharing talks, said that the seat-sharing has been finalised only between his party and Sharad Pawar-led NCP and not with Congress.

“The work is in progress. We will make the announcement at the right time. But I can tell you that Sena and NCP have finalised the seat-sharing arrangements,” the Sena (UBT) leader said, requesting anonymity.

Last week, a major war of words had erupted between Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress over the seat-sharing in Maharashtra after Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that his party would contest on 23 out of the 48 Lok Sabha seats and that there was no question of compromising on the seat share. He further said that the talks with Congress would start from zero as Congress has not won any seat in the state in the last general elections.

The Sena (UBT) posture has upset state and national Congress leaders. While Patole said that nobody can undermine Congress’ appeal among the masses and all seat-sharing decisions have to be taken through collective discussions and consent of the high command, a senior Congress leader dismissed Raut’s demand as baseless. He further said that the proposal has to come through Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray.

The opposition leaders had, last week, gathered in New Delhi for the INDIA front meeting where Thackeray and Pawar had stressed on the need to finalise seat-sharing arrangements at the earliest, in a bid to start preparing for the general elections.

Sule also mentioned that the opposition political parties have come together to protect the country’s constitution and for the development of the nation. “Each and every party will play an important role in this. Prakash Ambedkar (of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi) will also play a crucial role in this,” she said.

Ambedkar’s VBA is an ally of Shiv Sena (UBT) and has expressed in the past its wish to join the INDIA front. However, no final decision has yet been taken regarding the same.

The Lok Sabha MP pointed out that the present state government has a support of over 200 MLAs and despite that the state is lacking behind on the path of development. “It is important that those who have joined the government for the sake of development should focus on this,” Sule said, taunting her cousin and state’s Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, without naming him.