With the Maharashtra assembly polls set to be held in the coming weeks, the high-voltage drama between the two alliance partners of Maha Vikas Aghadi, namely Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress, unfolded in a clash between Raut and Uddhav. The standstill in the sharing of seats has raised the rhetoric to a new level, which has put extra strain on the coalition, including Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Since the proposed date for the election is November 20, the aspect of constituency division is gaining much importance for the opposition alliance.
The situation has not gone unnoticed, and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has at least sought to play down the tension with an epigram about avoiding such conflicts getting out of hand. He said he is hopeful about the ongoing talks, suggesting that the talks are nearly over, and some party members will be convinced that a seat-sharing deal could be reached in the next two or three days. “Bargaining between partners cannot be allowed to deteriorate,” Thackeray said while painting a picture of harmony despite the cracks within the alliance. He said that political equations are changing in Maharashtra, and the voters are poised to support MVA in coming elections.
On the other hand, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut did not wait for his counterparts to signal a contrasting stance and began directly blaming Congress leaders for inefficiency in decision-making to finalise the seat-sharing agreements on time. Raut alleged that the Maharashtra Congress was a failure, saying that state-level leaders in the party lacked the autonomy to work and make decisions independently and always had to consult the high command in Delhi. “The current ruling should be done as early as possible. There is very little time,” Anani continued, emphasizing the pressure.
“The Maharashtra Congress leaders cannot even decide anything on their own,” Raut went on to say that they have to send most of their suggestions to Delhi, adding that the process takes more time in the process as well.
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