In a significant development, the Mahayuti alliance of Maharashtra convened a pivotal meeting in the national capital, Delhi, on Friday, aiming to delve into a comprehensive analysis of seat distribution strategies for the impending Lok Sabha elections.
The meeting, attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah among other prominent figures, underscored the imperative for a meticulous evaluation of each constituency's electoral dynamics to optimize the alliance's chances of success. Shah emphasized the paramount importance of prioritizing winnable seats and underscored the necessity for a harmonious distribution of constituencies among the alliance partners to facilitate effective vote transfer.
Comprising key players such as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena under the leadership of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and the faction led by Nationalist Congress Party's Ajit Pawar, the Mahayuti alliance engaged in an exhaustive examination of potential seat allocations.
Insights gleaned from a seat-sharing analysis, obtained by India Today, indicate a tentative allocation scheme, with the BJP anticipated to contest approximately 28-30 Lok Sabha seats, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena eyeing 10-12 seats, and Ajit Pawar's NCP faction targeting 6-8 seats.
The BJP's Central Election Committee is slated to convene on March 11 for further deliberations on the seat-sharing arrangement. Preceding this, another round of high-level discussions among the Mahayuti alliance leaders, including Shah, Shinde, former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel from the NCP, and BJP National President JP Nadda, is scheduled to take place in Delhi.
Additionally, it has been revealed that the Mahayuti alliance is set to reconvene on March 11 to further solidify their electoral strategies.
During Friday's meeting, Eknath Shinde articulated his perspective on the electoral landscape, particularly emphasizing the strategic advantage of fielding Shiv Sena candidates over those affiliated with the Shiv Sena (UBT) in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). He underscored the significance of ensuring seamless vote transfer within the alliance to maximize electoral gains.
Amit Shah urged alliance partners to meticulously factor in all pertinent considerations to facilitate smooth vote transfer mechanisms among coalition members.
In recent developments, reports have emerged suggesting mounting pressure on the BJP within the Mahayuti alliance, as both the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the Shiv Sena lobby for a more substantial share of Lok Sabha seats. Sources indicate Ajit Pawar's intent to scrutinize approximately 16 Lok Sabha constituencies during Amit Shah's scheduled visit to the state.
While the Ajit Pawar faction currently holds just one Lok Sabha seat in Raigad, represented by party stalwart Sunil Tatkare, there are fervent aspirations to contest a more significant number of seats. Shamburaj Desai, representing Shinde Sena, has asserted their camp's resolve to contest 22 constituencies in the upcoming polls, indicative of the intensified dynamics within the Mahayuti alliance as the electoral battle looms ahead.
