Political Turbulence in Mumbai as Shiv Sena Asserts Claim on Lok Sabha Seats
Mumbai, 29th December 2023: Mumbai witnesses political developments as Sanjay Raut, the spokesperson of Shiv Sena (UBT), declares the party’s interest in contesting 23 out of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. However, this claim faces immediate rejection from the Congress, citing defections to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s faction.
Sanjay Raut asserts Shiv Sena’s interest in 23 Lok Sabha seats, despite defections. The Congress swiftly rejects this claim, emphasizing the departure of Sena M.P.s and MLAs to Shinde’s faction. Raut contends that the party’s voter base remains strong in these 23 seats.
The final decision on seat sharing within the Maha Vikas Aghadi will be determined by the Congress high command. While acknowledging individual ambitions, Raut notes that the overall scenario will become clearer after national-level discussions. Official talks are scheduled to begin in New Delhi on Friday.
Efforts are underway to include the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, led by Prakash Ambedkar, as part of the INDIA alliance, adding a potential new dynamic to the political landscape.
In a separate development, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray meets with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Speculations arise regarding Shinde exploring the possibility of leveraging MNS to counterbalance the influence of Shiv Sena (UBT).
The political landscape in Mumbai remains dynamic as Shiv Sena asserts its claim on Lok Sabha seats, facing resistance from the Congress. With talks scheduled and potential alliances in the making, the coming days are crucial for shaping the political scenario in Maharashtra.
