Sanjay Raut Criticizes Maharashtra Congress Over Delayed Seat-Sharing Talks
Mumbai: Sanjay Raut, a prominent leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), expressed frustration on Friday regarding the sluggish pace of seat-sharing negotiations among the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition partners. He specifically criticized Maharashtra Congress leaders, claiming they lack the decisiveness necessary to move discussions forward.
Speaking to reporters, Raut indicated that consensus has been reached on 200 out of the 288 assembly seats among the MVA partners—Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP). He mentioned that he had contacted Congress general secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Mukul Wasnik, as well as the party’s Maharashtra in-charge, Ramesh Chennithala, earlier that day. Raut also stated his intention to speak with senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi later in the day.
“The pending decision should be expedited. Very little time is left. Maharashtra Congress leaders are not capable of making decisions. They have to send the list to Delhi frequently for discussions,” Raut remarked, stressing the urgency of finalizing the arrangement.
On Thursday, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole announced that a list of 20-25 assembly constituencies, where the MVA partners have overlapping claims, would be sent to the respective high commands for resolution. He confirmed that a final meeting among MVA leaders had taken place, with plans to declare the seat-sharing arrangement for all 288 constituencies by October 18-19.
The MVA coalition performed well in the Lok Sabha elections, securing 30 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra. The upcoming assembly elections in the state are scheduled for November 20, with results to be announced on November 23.
