After prolonged negotiations, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition in Maharashtra has finalized its seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The announcement was made jointly by key leaders of the coalition today.
According to the agreement, the Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, will contest in 21 Lok Sabha seats, while the Congress party will vie for 17 seats. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), under the leadership of Sharadchandra Pawar, will field candidates in 10 constituencies.
| Party | Number of Seats |
|---|---|
| Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) | 21 |
| Congress | 17 |
| NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) | 10 |
The decision was disclosed by prominent figures of the MVA, including Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, and Nana Patole, the Maharashtra Congress chief.
This development sets the stage for a fierce electoral battle between the MVA and the ruling Mahayuti coalition, comprising the BJP, NCP led by Ajit Pawar, and the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, for the 48 parliamentary seats in Maharashtra.
In the previous 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena had formed an alliance and secured victory in 23 and 18 seats, respectively.
The upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra will be conducted in five phases, spanning from April 19 to May 20.
In the initial phase on April 19, constituencies including Ramtek, Nagpur, Bhandara-Gondiya, Gadchiroli-Chimur, and Chandrapur will go to polls. Subsequently, on April 26, Buldhana, Akola, Amravati, and other constituencies will cast their votes.
On May 7, voters in Raigad, Baramati, Osmanabad, Latur, and other areas will participate in the electoral process. The fourth phase on May 13 will witness polling in Nandurbhar, Jalgaon, Pune, and other constituencies.
Finally, on May 20, constituencies like Thane, Mumbai North, Mumbai South, and others will cast their ballots.
Vote counting will take place on June 4, marking the culmination of this crucial electoral exercise in Maharashtra.