Tussle in Mahayuti: Total seats 288, but BJP wants 160, Shiv Sena 100+ and NCP 60+

MUMBAI: The tussle in the three-party Mahayuti over seats for the state polls is likely to intensify with Shiv Sena staking claim to 100-105 of the total 288 seats while BJP is keen on a 2019 redux by fielding candidates in 160 constituencies and NCP is eyeing 60-80 seats.

Sena made a case for over 100 seats before Union home minister Amit Shah during his recent visit to Mumbai, a party functionary said. Shah was given a presentation on the party's performance in this LS election as well as undivided Sena's performance in the past, the functionary said, adding, "We retained Marathi and Hindutva votes. On its own, Sena (UBT) did not get many votes; it got votes due to strategic voting for the INDIA bloc. Only if we get over 100 seats can we take on Sena (UBT) and defeat MVA."

Sources said the seat sharing formula may be finalised this month-although the poll schedule has not been announced yet- and Sena may get 80-90 while NCP may get 50-60.

Meanwhile, deputy CM Ajit Pawar denied reports of BJP proposing a friendly fight in 25 seats.

‘Regional NCP strongmen may upset Mahayuti’s poll arithmetic’

Amid sparring in Mahayuti over its seat sharing formula for the a ssembly elections, Shiv Sena functionaries have also impressed upon BJP that there must not be delays in announcing candidates, as was it happened during the Lok Sabha poll. Many functionaries from Mahayuti partners had complained that that delay had left them with little time to campaign, resulting in poor show in certain seats.

ASena functionary said once the number of seats for each party is fixed, constituencies can be exchanged to improve winnability.
A political observer said NCP’s MLAs who are regional strongmen could upset Mahayuti’s arithmetic if the party’s demand for 60-80 seats is not met. “The BJP brass has promised each ally a respec table number of seats. There is also talk of NCP leaving Mahayuti. Its sitting MLAs won’t turn into vote-cutters. They are all regional satraps and will jump over to MVA if they feel they are being used.”

The BJP functionary said going by its performance in the Lok Sabha election, the party will have to contest from more than 150 seats to win from over 100. “In the 2019 assembly elections, BJP contested around 160 seats and won 105. There is no wave this time. So, every seat will have to be fought. All three Mahayuti partners will have to bring asignificant number of seats to the table. Otherwise, we can’t form govt.”

St ate NCP chief Sunil Tatkare has said during the seat sharing talks, Shah had assured a respectful distribution and even promised personal intervention, if necessary.