Three major MVA constituents to be allotted less than 100 seats each: Sanjay Raut

Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut told The Indian Express, “I think all the three constituents will get less than 100 seats out of the 288 Assembly seats in Maharashtra.”

Raut’s reaction came after leaders of Maharashtra Congress said out of the 225 seats finalised so far, the Congress has been alloted 84 seats.

Raut said Shiv Sena was expecting at least 100 seats. ”Since so far, 225 seats have been alloted, we will have to allot the remaining seats to smaller parties. Therefore I believe all three major constituents might get less than 100 seats,” he said.

When the Shiv Sena (UBT) was in alliance with the BJP, it never accepted less than 100 seats. The seat-sharing friction led the Sena and the BJP to contest separately in the 2014 elections, only to join hands again during the 2019 polls. ”This is because that time Sena and BJP were two major players. Others had little opportunity,” said Raut.

“Out of the 84 seats allotted to Congress, the party might declare names of candidates for at least 30 Assembly seats,” said Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar.

The Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly said the Congress Central Committee will meet in New Delhi on October 20 and the same day, the first list will be out. The first list might have maximum names from Vidharbha, said a party leader.

Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said all three parties have given priority to elective merit. ”Seats have been alloted depending on the potential of the party to win the seats. The parties will field candidates only with elective merit,” he said.

Sources in the Congress said after the defeat of the party in the Haryana Assembly elections, members of screen committees and observers have been told to ensure that candidate selection is done based on their winnability merit. ”They have been told to avoid pressure from leaders to accommodate their near and dear ones and instead strictly focus on elective merit,” said a leader.

NCP (S-P) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said the party is witnessing a beeline of leaders from Mahayuti. ”Our party has emerged as the most sought after destination for various leaders, especially those from Mahayuti. Though there is pressure from our own leaders and workers not to import too many leaders, we will choose only those who are capable of scripting victory,” he said.