After Giving 'Go Ahead' To 23 Lok Sabha Candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) Calls Meeting To Discuss Seat-Sharing With Congress, NCP

Congress leaders are set to meet their allies in Maharashtra today (9 January) to continue negotiations on seat-sharing as part of the Opposition's strategy against the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as reported by NDTV.

The meeting is taking place amidst the backdrop of the Shiv Sena, led by former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, declaring its intention to contest 23 seats in Maharashtra. Nevertheless, Thackeray assured that the party would not take any actions that harm the alliance.

The Shiv Sena is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, along with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar and the Congress.

Shiv Sena (UBT faction) leader Sanjay Raut said, "...We have called an important meeting here today to discuss Maharashtra's seat sharing. Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP have been called...There is no fight (regarding seats) in Maharashtra...There can be some differences on 2-3 seats but we will discuss it..."

Calling the meeting preliminary, Sharad Pawar said, "Discussion on seat sharing will take place in today's meeting. When several parties come together, aggressive demands are made but everyone should work together to find a way that should work in the state where they do not have dominance. I don't think Congress is trying to overrule the INDI Alliance..."

Earlier, Raut had stated that the national party would need to initiate seat negotiations from "zero" due to their lack of any constituency wins in the state in 2019.