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MLC Elections: Mahayuti's Seat-Sharing Negotiations Stall as Tensions Rise
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis acknowledged the current deadlock in seat-sharing discussions during a statement on Tuesday, maintaining a sense of optimism. “We are locked with Shiv Sena on Nashik and Sambhajinagar and with NCP over Pune. But I’m sure we will be able to solve this crisis by discussion in the coming days,” he remarked. A meeting of Mahayuti leaders aimed at resolving the impasse concluded without any progress, prompting a follow-up with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.
According to a BJP insider, “Shinde wants 7 seats, which is not possible. We are offering 3 at the moment but if Amit Shah intervenes, they can get one or two more.” The 17 MLC seats currently up for election are filled by members from municipal corporations, councils, and various local government bodies. Key constituencies include Pune, Ahilyanagar, Thane, Jalgaon, and Nashik, among others. The State Election Commission has scheduled elections for 16 seats and a bypoll for the Nagpur seat, which was vacated by BJP’s Chandrashekhar Bawankule, with nominations due by June 1.
This stalemate follows the Mahayuti's strong performance in recent local body elections, where the coalition secured 8,239 out of 12,201 seats, translating to a 67.5 percent success rate. The BJP led with 4,540 seats, followed by Shiv Sena with 1,888 and NCP with 1,604. In contrast, the opposition alliance, Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi, managed just 2,195 seats collectively, with the Congress taking 1,300, Shiv Sena (UBT) 531, and NCP (Sharad Pawar) 364.
In earlier discussions about the June 18 polls, the BJP initially proposed three seats for Shiv Sena and two for NCP. Eknath Shinde's faction is seeking between five and seven seats, eyeing strongholds like Thane and Nashik. The Jalgaon seat has taken on a dynastic angle, as Sena leader Gulabrao Patil’s son is interested in it. “There is no wrong in asking for the seat. This is our right. But we will accept whatever decision will be taken by higher ups,” stated Patil.
Despite Shinde's meeting with Amit Shah last Sunday, a BJP source conveyed that the party is reluctant to relinquish seats where they believe they can win independently. “From what I understand, Shinde’s demands won’t be fulfilled as he is asking for seats where BJP is in a position to win by itself,” the source explained. Resistance from Shiv Sena is particularly strong over Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, regarded as their traditional bastions. A Shiv Sena (Shinde) leader expressed confidence, saying, “We have enough corporators in these places who can get us through.”
Meanwhile, NCP remains steadfast in its claim over Pune, emphasizing its historical stronghold status and recent vote counts. Party spokesperson Umesh Patil dismissed rumors regarding Jay Pawar's candidacy, asserting that candidates will be chosen from the grassroots. “We are going to insist that the Pune seat be given to us since numbers are important and we have them,” Patil stated.
Additionally, the NCP is advocating for the Raigad-Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg seat for Aniket Tatkare, the son of party leader Sunil Tatkare, currently held by Shiv Sena. Meanwhile, the BJP appears to have conceded Thane-Palghar to Shinde despite internal resistance. Locally, the BJP commands 444 votes against Shinde Sena’s 346, but local leaders argue that past elections grant the Sena a claim to the seat.
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