
As Maharashtra gears up for its upcoming elections, political parties have reportedly sealed a seat-sharing deal under the Mahayuti (Grand Alliance) coalition, including BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP. This October 3, 2024 agreement is set to shape the dynamics of the election, with speculation about the final number of seats each party will contest.
According to sources, the BJP is expected to get the lion’s share of seats, given its political clout and extensive organizational structure across Maharashtra. Reports suggest the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena will receive a substantial number of seats in areas where the party maintains traditional influence. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, which recently joined the alliance, is also set to receive a noteworthy share, although some negotiations are still ongoing.
This coalition aims to present a united front against the opposition, primarily the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, and the Indian National Congress (INC), who are rallying under a separate alliance. The seat distribution in this alliance is crucial, as it will influence the strategies of each party in critical regions such as Mumbai, Pune, and Western Maharashtra, where electoral competition is expected to be fierce.
As the campaign heats up, the Mahayuti alliance hopes that its cohesive approach will counter the opposition’s efforts to exploit divisions. The distribution of seats has been strategically planned to maximize the chances of the coalition’s victory in both urban and rural constituencies, setting the stage for a highly competitive election.