Maharashtra News: The ruling Mahayuti alliance has officially finalized its seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled for November 20. This strategic pact involves three major parties: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). According to sources, the BJP is set to receive the majority of seats in this arrangement.Seat allocation breakdownUnder the terms of the seat-sharing agreement, the BJP is expected to contest between 152 and 155 seats. In contrast, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena will receive 78 to 80 seats, while the Ajit Pawar-led NCP will be allocated 52 to 54 seats. The deal was finalized during a high-level meeting at the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. The BJP has already announced its first list of 99 candidates, while the Shiv Sena and NCP have yet to release their own candidate lists.Discontent among alliance leadersDespite the finalization, some leaders within the Mahayuti alliance have expressed dissatisfaction over not being assigned their preferred seats. Reports indicate that members of the Shiv Sena are particularly upset about seat allocations. Additionally, certain BJP leaders are reportedly frustrated that candidates they had hoped to contest from specific seats were granted tickets instead.One notable candidate, BJPs Ravindra Chavan, will again contest from Dombivali, a constituency he has represented since 2014. Dipesh Mhatre, a local leader from Dombivali and initially a contender from Eknath Shindes Shiv Sena, has opted to join Uddhav Thackerays faction of the Shiv Sena.Election strategy insightsThe BJP is drawing parallels between its strategy in Maharashtra and its successful approach in the Haryana polls, where it won despite a decade-long anti-incumbency. Recognizing Eknath Shindes popularity, the BJP aims to project him as the face of the Mahayuti alliance to galvanize voter support. The election for the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly will take place in a single phase on November 20, with the counting of votes scheduled for November 23.
