In the run up to Maharashtra polls .... Already there is 'Maha battle' between Congress and Uddhav faction of Shiv Sena

Congress leader Nana Patole says the final decisions on seat-sharing would be made by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut flays the Congress party's slow decision-making process.  

At the heart of the dispute are the seats in eastern Vidarbha and Mumbai. 

The Congress has refused to cede any seats in east Vidarbha to Shiv Sena (UBT), citing the Sena’s reduced presence in the region following the party’s split. And the Uddhav camp wants constituencies that Congress has 'historically failed to win'.

There are some seats which both parties vying for especially in Mumbai.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Nana Patole acknowledged that disputes remain over 28 seats and assured that the matter would be resolved by the Congress high command.  

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said while decisions on over 200 seats have been finalised, a few key constituencies are still under contention.

He complained that the Congress leadership in Maharashtra is dependent on the high command or Rahul Gandhi for every decision.

"We don't have much time left, and I feel Congress leaders here are unable to take decisions. They keep sending lists to Delhi for approval, but that time has passed. We need decisions to be made quickly," Raut said.  

Raut underlined that despite the differences over seat-sharing, the parties must stay united to defeat the BJP. He referenced the BJP’s use of agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to target opposition leaders, describing them as “arms” of the ruling party.  

“Sanjay Raut’s leader is Uddhav Thackeray, and our leader is Rahul Gandhi. What happens in seat-sharing is something we inform our leadership about. I won’t comment much on Sanjay Raut’s statements,” said Patole. 

Maharashtra goes to the polls on November 20. The voting for the Jharkhand Assembly Elections will take place in two phases on November 13 and November 20.

The results for both the states will be announced on November 23. 

The term of Maharashtra Assembly will end on November 26. The state is currently ruled by the Mahayuti government led by chief minister Eknath Shinde, who heads a Shiv Sena faction.

 The BJP and NCP-Ajit Pawar are part of the ruling alliance in Maharashtra. 

Maharashtra assembly has 288 seats. In the opposition local stalwart Sharad Pawar-led NCP is in the opposition camp. 

In Jharkhand, the term of the Assembly will end on January 5, 2025.  The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)- Congress alliance is in power in the state with Hemant Soren as the chief minister. Jharkhand has 81 seats. 

In the recently held polls, the BJP could retain power and scripted history in Haryana by winning the state for the third record straight term. 

The National Conference-Congress alliance won the Jammu and Kashmir polls. 

The BJP's Central Election Committee (CEC) met in Delhi on Tuesday evening to finalise the party's candidates for the Jharkhand Assembly polls next month. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda and national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh were among the CEC members who deliberated on the probable list of nominees.

In June 2022, when the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Uddhav Thackeray collapsed due to Eknath Shinde's rebellion in the Shiv Sena, the BJP capitalized on the opportunity to return to power. With 105 of its own MLAs and 40 rebel MLAs from Eknath Shinde, along with support from smaller parties and independents, the BJP surpassed the 145-MLA threshold needed to form the government. Eknath Shinde, a Maratha leader, was appointed Chief Minister, with the expectation that he would help quell the Maratha agitation. 

Later Ajit Pawar also rebelled against his uncle, Sharad Pawar, splitting the NCP. Ajit Pawar's faction joined the NDA, and he was appointed Deputy Chief Minister. The rationale behind inducting Ajit Pawar was to weaken Sharad Pawar, a significant challenger to the BJP.