Seat-sharing strains emerge in Mahayuti, MVA ahead of Maharashtra Council polls

Differences have emerged within both the ruling Mahayuti and Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), with alliance partners staking claims to seats held by their allies and announcing candidates for the October 23 Maharashtra Legislative Council elections.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday announced Dattatray Lahane as its candidate for the Amravati Teachers Constituency, a seat for which the Congress had already named Aditi Pohare as its candidate last week.

Both Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) are constituents of the MVA.

The Sena (UBT) also named Dilip Ghuge as its candidate for the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Graduates Constituency.

Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said the party was contesting both the Amravati and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar seats, adding that it could be described as a “friendly fight” or otherwise.

A similar situation has emerged within the ruling Mahayuti, with the BJP and Shiv Sena both seeking the Pune Division Teachers' seat.

The BJP on Sunday announced three candidates for the Council polls. It fielded Dr Smita Jadhav, wife of Pudhari Group chairman and editor Yogesh Jadhav, from the Pune Division Graduates constituency, Sudhakar Kohle from the Nagpur Division Graduates constituency and Kaustubh Gawde from the Pune Division Teachers' constituency.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, said Mangesh Chivte would file his nomination for the Pune Teachers' seat.

Shinde said the nomination process was underway and there was still time for candidates to withdraw. He added that the Mahayuti would discuss the matter and take a decision after consultations between him, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sunetra Pawar, on Monday announced Satish Chavan as its candidate for the Aurangabad Graduates constituency. State NCP president Sunil Tatkare issued an official letter announcing his candidature.

Chavan has represented the Aurangabad Graduates constituency in the Legislative Council for three terms since 2008.

The NCP is part of the ruling Mahayuti along with the BJP and Shiv Sena led by Shinde.

Biennial elections are being held for five seats in the 78-member Maharashtra Legislative Council -- three graduates' constituencies and two teachers' constituencies. The seats are Pune Division Graduates, Nagpur Division Graduates, Pune Division Teachers, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Graduates and Amravati Teachers.

Polling will be held on October 23 and counting of votes will take place on October 27. Tuesday is the last day for filing nominations, while scrutiny will be conducted on Wednesday. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until October 9.

Registered graduates and teachers living within the respective geographical divisions are eligible to vote in the elections.  (with inputs from PTI)