INDIA Bloc initiates seat sharing talks: Maharashtra, UP next
New Delhi, January 09: As the Opposition INDIA bloc propels its discussions on seat allocation, the focus shifts to the critical states of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, collectively holding sway over 128 Lok Sabha seats out of the total 545.
New Delhi: The INDIA bloc's momentum surges as it conducts concurrent negotiations across multiple states for seat-sharing arrangements. Following initial talks in Delhi and Punjab, today marks the pivotal discussions in two of India's largest states — Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, constituting a substantial 128 Lok Sabha seats.
In Mumbai, deliberations are underway between the Shiv Sea UBT, Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party, and the Congress in Maharashtra. Simultaneously, a meeting is scheduled this evening to apportion the 80 seats of Uttar Pradesh at the Delhi residence of senior party leader Mukul Wasnik.
Anticipated as strenuous, these negotiations pose challenges for the Congress across the board. The party faces hurdles in balancing talks with Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party and Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party in Uttar Pradesh, while navigating discussions with MVA allies in Maharashtra.
Emphasizing their dominance within the alliance, the Shiv Sena UBT firmly demands 23 seats, citing their status as the primary party in Maharashtra. Sanjay Raut, a senior leader, asserted, "Shiv Sena has historically contested on 23 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, encompassing Dadra and Nagar Haveli. This remains non-negotiable."
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Consequently, this allocation leaves a scant 25 seats to be distributed between Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress, with the latter possessing limited influence within the state's political landscape. In Maharashtra's 2019 assembly elections, the Congress secured only 44 seats in the 288-member assembly, significantly fewer than its coalition partners.
The Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh exhibits a resolute stance following the state Congress's refusal to share seats in the assembly elections. Kamal Nath, the state party chief, declined to honor the central leadership's commitment for six seats in the state, leading to visible tensions. The fallout manifested publicly, with Akhilesh Yadav's criticisms directed at the Congress, coinciding with the party's electoral setbacks in the heartland states and Kamal Nath's removal from the top post.
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(Inputs from agencies)
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