Ajit Pawar Confirms First Round of Seat-Sharing Talks for Maharashtra Elections

National Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar announced the completion of the first round of seat-sharing discussions within the Mahayuti alliance ahead of Maharashtra Assembly elections. The second round will address the distribution of 288 seats. Controversial comments from Shiv Sena leader Tanaji Sawant were dismissed by Pawar.

National Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar announced on Saturday that the initial round of discussions on seat-sharing within the Mahayuti alliance has been completed, in preparation for the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The alliance will convene again to finalize the distribution of 288 seats.

"We had our first round of discussions on seat sharing. We will sit again for the second time and decide who gets which seat, out of the 288 seats," Ajit Pawar stated. "Elective merit will be the criteria for seat sharing," he added.

Addressing comments made by Shiv Sena leader Tanaji Sawant, Pawar refrained from making any remarks. "If someone has said something, I don't want to comment on it. I have decided at the beginning of the Jan Samman Yatra that I will not comment on anyone," he said.

Health Minister Tanaji Sawant had expressed dissatisfaction with the alliance, stating, "Even if we sit next to each other in the cabinet, I feel like vomiting after coming out." Pawar also visited the Malvan site where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue collapsed and assured that efforts are underway to rebuild the memorial. He emphasized that those responsible will be held accountable.

The upcoming Maharashtra election will feature a contest between the Maha Vikas Aghadi (comprising the UBT Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress) and the Mahayuti Alliance (including BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP). In the recent Lok Sabha Election, the Maha Vikas Aghadi performed stronger, while the Mahayuti alliance faced setbacks.

(With inputs from agencies.)