Maharashtra Politics : Dilemma of Seat Allocation in Municipal Elections; Confusion in Party Strategies
As the campaign for the municipal elections in the state is gaining momentum, the issue of seat allocation in political alliances and coalitions seems to be intensifying. The BJP is experimenting with contesting elections independently in many places, while in some places through alliances and coalitions. However, due to a lack of consensus on seat allocation in most municipal corporations, dissatisfaction among the constituent parties of the grand alliance seems to be increasing. On the other hand, in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, as all parties are firmly presenting their positions, there appears to be discord against each other.
Although three days have passed since the start of filing nomination papers, the seat-sharing deadlock between the alliance and the coalition has not yet been resolved. There are disagreements among the parties over seat-sharing, and many potential candidates are confused. This is directly affecting the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections. In the financial capital, consensus has been reached on about 200 seats between the BJP and the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, and intense discussions are ongoing for the remaining 27 seats. Since both parties are insistent on these seats, meetings are being held between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BJP State President Ravindra Chavan, and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Along with Mumbai, discussions are also underway on seat-sharing in Thane and Kalyan-Dombivli municipal corporations. It is emerging that there are differences between BJP and Shinde Sena over including Ajit Pawar's NCP in the alliance. There is talk that if Nawab Malik takes charge from the NCP, this alliance is not wanted, especially from the BJP.
On the other hand, if Sharad Pawar's NCP does not get a respectable seat in the Mahavikas Aghadi, it is speculated that the Ajit Pawar group and the Sharad Pawar group may come together in Mumbai as well, similar to Pune-Pimpri. The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance remains in a stalemate in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, with five meetings so far proving unsuccessful. Today, another meeting will be held in the presence of Minister Sanjay Shirsat and Minister Atul Save.
Meanwhile, there is tension over seat allocation in the grand alliance in Pune as well. The Shinde Sena has resolved to remain firm on 35 seats and has given a clear message not to compromise on fewer seats. However, since the BJP has set a target of winning 125 seats, the deadlock between the two parties remains. Additionally, a resolution has not yet been reached on the seat allocation between the Congress and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi in Mumbai. Vanchit has demanded 43 seats, and since Congress has proposed a limited number of seats, the discussion is at a decisive stage. Overall, the challenge of seat allocation has become more intense for all political parties ahead of the municipal elections.