MUMBAI: Even as seat sharing talks between the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners are yet to be finalised and the distribution of seats in yet to be announced, AICC in-charge in Maharashtra, Ramesh Chennithala met Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday. Chennithala met Uddhav at Matoshree, the Thackeray family residence with state Congress president Nana Patole and Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad.Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and MLA Aaditya Thackeray were also present. Sena (UBT) sources said that there was a discussion on seat sharing for the Lok Sabha polls and to get clarity on some of the seats that have been claimed by both the Congress and NCP (Sharad Chandra Pawar). There were also talks on figuring out the role and seat sharing arrangement for the Prakash Ambedkar led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) in the MVA or INDIA bloc.
Earlier this week, the Sena (UBT) on Thursday finalised 11 names for the Lok Sabha polls including three from Mumbai. The Congress is keen on fighting Mumbai North Central, South Central and North West, but the Sena (UBGT) is offering them only North Central and North.
However party functionaries said that a formal announcement will be made in a few days once a decision is taken on all seats the Sena is contesting. Party leaders said that the rest of the names for the remaining seats including South Central Mumbai will be decided in the next few days after consultations with the Congress and the NCP (Sharad Chandra Pawar) who are part of the INDIA bloc.
Earlier this week, Ambedkar had said no seat sharing discussions have begun with the MVA members, as currently the focus is to reach an ‘understanding’ on certain issues. Ambedkar has said it is important for all allies to have a ‘common minimum understanding’ (not common minimum programme) before the talks can proceed.
“We have given a 31-point report and we expect there should be a minimum understanding on issues,” he had said.
MVA wants Ambedkar to join the alliance. But Ambedkar has remained non-committal, saying certain issues must be discussed first. Congress leaders have said that a decision on 38 out of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra has been taken within the MVA. “I think there is no dispute. In fact, a formal decision has been taken on 38 LS seats; in the Jan 30 meet, there will be discussion on 10 seats,” a senior Congress leader said.
Leaders said that the iInitial discussions hinted that the Congress staking claim on 22 seats, Sena (UBT) on 18, and NCP on 8 seats. However this may change then next round of meetings, leaders said.
Earlier this week, the Sena (UBT) on Thursday finalised 11 names for the Lok Sabha polls including three from Mumbai. The Congress is keen on fighting Mumbai North Central, South Central and North West, but the Sena (UBGT) is offering them only North Central and North.
However party functionaries said that a formal announcement will be made in a few days once a decision is taken on all seats the Sena is contesting. Party leaders said that the rest of the names for the remaining seats including South Central Mumbai will be decided in the next few days after consultations with the Congress and the NCP (Sharad Chandra Pawar) who are part of the INDIA bloc.
Earlier this week, Ambedkar had said no seat sharing discussions have begun with the MVA members, as currently the focus is to reach an ‘understanding’ on certain issues. Ambedkar has said it is important for all allies to have a ‘common minimum understanding’ (not common minimum programme) before the talks can proceed.
“We have given a 31-point report and we expect there should be a minimum understanding on issues,” he had said.
MVA wants Ambedkar to join the alliance. But Ambedkar has remained non-committal, saying certain issues must be discussed first. Congress leaders have said that a decision on 38 out of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra has been taken within the MVA. “I think there is no dispute. In fact, a formal decision has been taken on 38 LS seats; in the Jan 30 meet, there will be discussion on 10 seats,” a senior Congress leader said.
Leaders said that the iInitial discussions hinted that the Congress staking claim on 22 seats, Sena (UBT) on 18, and NCP on 8 seats. However this may change then next round of meetings, leaders said.
