Cong now wants MVA's sole winnable Rajya Sabha seat for itself

Mumbai: A tussle is brewing within the MVA over the selection of a candidate for the lone Rajya Sabha seat which the alliance can win in the upcoming RS polls. While Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut had revealed that NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar was keen on contesting, Aaditya Thackeray claimed the seat for the UBT Sena. Now the Congress has said that either one Rajya Sabha or MLC seat should come to it.

"Since we have the second highest number of MLAs in the alliance, the Congress should get either a Rajya Sabha or MLC seat," said Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe on Friday.

Sanjay Raut struck a conciliatory note on Friday, saying three parties in the alliance will sit together and take a decision on the candidate. "We have enough numbers for one Rajya Sabha seat. The three parties will sit down and decide who is the best candidate for the interests and identity of Maharashtra. The decision will be taken unanimously," Raut said. The election is slated for March 16.

When asked about NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar's possible candidature since his term is ending, Raut said, "Sharad Pawar is a big leader of this country." He added, "Each party feels it is an important constituent and will seek opportunities. But finally, there is consensus."

Raut said it was important to send a Marathi-speaking candidate to the Rajya Sabha. "We need to send a Marathi-speaking candidate to the Rajya Sabha who will raise issues in the interest of Maharashtra," he said.

The question of a joint candidate within the MVA assumes significance in view of the speculation on talks of a merger between the NCP (SP), which is part of the MVA, and the NCP led by the late Ajit Pawar which is part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance. The MVA needs 37 votes to win a Rajya Sabha seat. It has 47 MLAs. The Sena (UBT) has the highest number at 20, followed by the Congress with 16 and the NCP (SP) with 10.

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