Once again, a major movement has started in Maharashtra politics. Reliable information is emerging that the five vacant seats in the Governor's quota of the Legislative Council will soon be filled. Against this backdrop, discussions, consultations, and assessments of aspirants have begun among various political parties. Both the ruling and opposition parties in the state are viewing these appointments as extremely important.
The Legislative Council is the upper house of the state's legislature with a total membership of 78. Currently, 23 seats are vacant, making the political calculations more complex. Additionally, with the term of some members ending in the near future, there is a possibility of changes in the council's equations. Therefore, these five governor-appointed seats have gained special importance.
Total Mathematics and Status of Vacant Seats in the Council
The total membership of the Legislative Council is 78. Currently, 55 members are active, and 23 seats are vacant. Out of these, the term of 9 more members will end on May 14, 2026. The members currently serving in these positions elected from the Assembly are Uddhav Thackeray, Neelam Gorhe, Amol Mitkari, Shashikant Shinde, Rajesh Rathod, Sandeep Joshi, Dadarav Keche, Sanjay Kenekar, and Ranjitsinh Mohite Patil. Therefore, there is a possibility of political equations changing in the next election.
The appointment of members from the Governor's quota is made from individuals who have made remarkable contributions in the fields of literature, art, education, cooperation, and social sectors. However, an attempt is also made to maintain political balance in these selections. According to sources, some leaders who have performed effectively in local self-government elections may be given priority. Therefore, the names of many aspirants are being discussed, and everyone is focused on the final decision.
Meanwhile, due to the 286 MLAs in the assembly, the arithmetic of the council election is also proving important. After the quota of votes required for one seat is determined, party-wise strategies will be planned. Factors like cross-voting, alliances, and internal discontent can also affect the outcome. Therefore, political developments are likely to gain more momentum in the coming weeks.
Rajya Sabha's Arithmetic and the Big Battle of 2026
Besides, with some Rajya Sabha seats set to become vacant in 2026, political movements in Maharashtra have gained importance at the national level. Both the Legislative Council and Rajya Sabha elections could impact the power balance in the state. Therefore, all parties are preparing at their respective levels. Overall, the process of filling the vacant seats in the Legislative Council could create new equations in Maharashtra's politics. Everyone is watching to see who gets the opportunity and whose name drops from the final list. The political picture will only become clear after official announcements are made in the coming days.