MLC polls: MVA, Mahayuti race to finalise seat allocations

Nashik: With just four days left for filing nominations for the legislative council (MLC) polls, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is yet to arrive at a consensus on seat-sharing for all 16 constituencies, including the three key seats in the Nashik region — Nashik, Jalgaon and Ahilyanagar.Sources in the alliance said discussions are underway and a final decision on the distribution of seats among partners — Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) — is expected in a day or two. The delay comes even as rival Mahayuti partners appear close to sealing their arrangements for a majority of the seats.According to political sources, the Mahayuti has broadly agreed on 13 of the 16 seats. The BJP is likely to field candidates from Jalgaon and Ahilyanagar, while the Shiv Sena is expected to retain the Nashik seat. However, their formal announcement is also expected within the next couple of days.Within the MVA, both Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) have staked claim to the Nashik seat, turning it into a key point of negotiation. Leaders indicated that the final call will be taken at the state level by senior leadership after consultations over the next one or two days.The first joint meeting of MVA leaders was held in Mumbai on Wednesday to discuss the poll strategy and review constituencies. The meeting was attended by state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal, NCP (SP) leaders Supriya Sule and Shashikant Shinde, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Anil Parab and Milind Narvekar. Another round of discussions is scheduled for Saturday.During the meeting, alliance leaders decided to contest all 16 seats, along with a bypoll in Nagpur, and explore seat-sharing based on the relative strength of each party in individual constituencies.Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Sapkal said, “We held a detailed discussion on all MLC constituencies and reviewed potential candidates. While a final formula is yet to be worked out, we will contest the polls unitedly as the MVA. Seat-sharing will be finalised in the next couple of days.”With the nomination deadline fast approaching, pressure is mounting on both alliances to seal their strategies and declare candidates. The last date for filing nominations is June 1, while scrutiny will be held on June 2. Candidates can withdraw nominations until June 4.Polling for the MLC elections is scheduled for June 18, and counting of votes will take place on June 22.