Congress Anticipates 40-41 Lok Sabha Wins in Maharashtra; Mahayuti Alliance Targets 45+ Lok Sabha Seats
Mumbai, 4th January 2024: Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole has shed light on the seat-sharing strategy within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, emphasizing that elective merit will be the primary determinant. Contrary to speculations, Patole clarified that Shiv Sena has not demanded 23 Lok Sabha seats, and the allocation will be a collaborative decision involving top leaders from Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena.
Expressing confidence in the MVA’s prospects, Patole anticipates winning 40-41 out of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Additionally, he underscored the Congress’ commitment to unite forces against the BJP, indicating the potential inclusion of Prakash Ambedkar’s Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi into the coalition.
However, Prakash Ambedkar remains vocal, urging the Congress to abandon a perceived “big brother” attitude. On social media, he suggested that the Congress should limit its Lok Sabha contest to 5 seats in Bihar, aiming for a broader strategy to defeat Modi. This reflects an ongoing discussion within the coalition as it navigates both internal dynamics and potential alliances with like-minded parties.
On the other side of the political spectrum, Maharashtra BJP Chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule outlined the Mahayuti alliance’s ambitious goal of securing over 45 out of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Bawankule announced that preparatory meetings for the upcoming general polls will commence on January 14, with central leaders of Mahayuti constituents deciding on seat sharing. Taking a swipe at the MVA, Bawankule claimed that leaders and workers from opposing parties would defect and join the ruling alliance before the elections.
To strengthen their grassroots connections, Mahayuti leaders plan to hold simultaneous rallies across all districts on January 14, connecting with booth-level workers. Division-level meetings are expected to conclude by mid-February. Bawankule emphasized the goal of achieving a 51% vote share, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision for India, and expanding the party base in the state. He anticipates leaders from various parties joining the ruling allies, hinting at a potential depletion of the MVA’s support base.
