Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 19 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday asserted that the seat-sharing talks within Mahayuti alliance sharing talks among the ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), are in the final stage, adding that the BJP's first first list can come anytime.
Speaking to media persons, Fadnavis said, "Our discussion regarding seat sharing is in the final stage. Yesterday we cleared the problematic seats by having a positive discussion. We will clear the few remaining seats in the next two days, we have decided that the cleared seats should be announced by that party at their convenience. In the system of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the processes like the Election Committee, and Parliamentary Board have almost come to an end. Our first list can come anytime."
Maharashtra Chief Minister Shinde also stated that the seat-sharing within Mahayuti will be finalised soon.
"Yesterday a meeting was held with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Mahayuti's seat-sharing was discussed and positive discussions were held. The discussions are in the final phase. The seat sharing will be finalised soon and we will give you the good news," CM Shinde told reporters.
A crucial meeting regarding the NDA alliance for Maharashtra assembly elections was held at Union Home Minister Amit Shah's residence.
The meeting on Friday lasted until around 2 am and was attended by key figures including Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The three parties had previously reached a consensus on 240 seats, but discussions were ongoing for the remaining 48 seats where alignment had been challenging.
According to a source, the BJP is expected to contest around 150-160 seats, while Shiv Sena will likely contest 75-85 seats, and the NCP is poised to run in approximately 48-55 constituencies.
Assembly elections in Maharashtra will be held in a single phase on November 20 with counting of votes on November 23. With this, the political parties have begun gearing up for an election that will be unprecedented in many ways.