MVA Leaders Claim Success in Pacifying Rebels Ahead of Maharashtra Elections
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut announced on Wednesday, October 30, that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has successfully addressed the concerns of rebel candidates on 90 percent of the seats where they filed nominations against the alliance’s official candidates. Raut stated that the Shiv Sena (UBT) has filed nominations in 96 seats for the upcoming elections.
Addressing the issue of rebellious candidates, Raut noted, “Such things happen in an alliance. We will sit together and try to pacify the rebels. We want to bring in a change, and for that to happen, everyone must stay together.” He emphasized that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, along with NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar and Congress leadership, will engage in discussions to resolve any grievances among disgruntled aspirants.
With the deadline for withdrawing nomination papers set for November 4, Raut acknowledged the challenges faced by the coalition, given the limited number of seats available when three parties contest together. He mentioned that in constituencies like Sangole and Alibag, where Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Peasants and Workers’ Party (PWP) have fielded their own candidates, his party had previously secured victories in the 2019 elections. However, he expressed willingness to negotiate on these seats, reiterating that PWP is a vital part of the MVA.
When questioned about the potential for a repeat of the “Sangli pattern,” Raut criticized the Congress, suggesting that if its ally had adhered to coalition principles during the Lok Sabha polls, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Chandrahar Patil could have triumphed. He referenced the independent victory of Congress’ Vishal Patil in the Sangli Lok Sabha seat, who had defied party orders.
Nearly 8,000 candidates, representing major political parties from both the ruling Mahyuti and the opposition MVA, submitted nominations for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra by the end of the filing process on Tuesday. Elections are scheduled for November 20, with votes set to be counted three days later.
