Mumbai: In a significant development ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance has reached an agreement on the seat-sharing arrangement for 260 out of 288 seats. The alliance, consisting of the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), is preparing for a consolidated electoral battle against the ruling Mahayuti coalition led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction.
Sharad Pawar, NCP (SP) chief and architect of the MVA, dismissed concerns that the Congress party’s recent defeat in the Haryana Assembly elections could negatively affect the alliance’s prospects in Maharashtra. Pawar emphasized that Maharashtra’s political dynamics are vastly different from those in Haryana, and he remains confident about the MVA’s chances in the state. He reiterated his commitment to strengthen the anti BJP forces and dismissed speculation of discord within the MVA ranks, stating that the alliance is united and focused on taking Maharashtra in the right direction.
The MVA is finalizing its campaign strategy, setting the stage for an intense battle against the Mahayuti. The BJP and its allies are banking on the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis & Eknath Shinde. However, with Sharad Pawar consolidating his base and more leaders joining his party, the contest is expected to be closely fought.
The MVA leadership is concentrating on local factors and constituency-specific issues to galvanize support. With Maharashtra’s assembly election dates set for November, the next few weeks will see the MVA intensifying its campaign efforts, projecting itself as the primary force capable of challenging the BJP’s dominance in the state.
