MVA seals 44 LS seats; Kharge, Rahul to intervene on 4 in dispute

MUMBAI: After weeks of uncertainty, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has finalised a pact for 44 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats from the state, revealed a senior Congress leader on Friday. Four of the seats-Mumbai South-Central, Mumbai North-West, Bhiwandi and Sangli-are still in dispute.

As per the seat sharing formula arrived after a series of meetings attended by NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and Congress legislature party leader Balasaheb Thorat, Shiv Sena (UBT) will contest from 19 constituencies, Congress from 16 and NCP (SP) from nine (see graphic for who got what).

AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will speak to Sharad Pawar and Thackeray on the four contentious seats.

The Congress leader said owing to a lack of consensus over these seats, MVA has not been able to fully seal the deal. He said Congress is insisting on contesting Mumbai South Central, North-West, Bhiwandi and Sangli, while Sena (UBT) has made it clear that there will be no compromise on Sangli. Sena (UBT) has, in fact, gone ahead and declared wrestler Chandrahar Patil as its Sangli nominee. Sharad Pawar is refusing to let go of Bhiwandi.

Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said although his party has not declared the names of its nominees (barring Patil), messages have been sent to all candidates concerned that they should start preparations for the elections immediately

The Congress leader said AICC wants to settle the dispute as early as possible, make some compromises, and ensure that MVA wins the maximum seats in the state.


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