The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition in Maharashtra is currently navigating a period of strain, with the Shiv Sena faction under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray expressing discontentment during discussions regarding seat allocation, as per sources disclosed to India Today TV.
Amidst this backdrop, the Congress is fervently advocating for the nomination of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, who hails from the esteemed lineage of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, to represent Kolhapur constituency in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, as per insider accounts.
Although the Shiv Sena, particularly the Uddhav Sena (UBT) faction, is reportedly amenable to relinquishing the Kolhapur seat in favor of Shahu Maharaj, sources indicate a preference within the party for him to contest under their party emblem.
In a bid to address the impasse, leaders within the MVA convened discussions with seasoned politician Sharad Pawar, seeking his intervention to facilitate a resolution.
Beyond the Kolhapur constituency, disparities in seat allocation persist within the MVA framework. Sources reveal that the Uddhav Sena has expressed dissatisfaction regarding claims made by the Congress and Sharad Pawar's NCP faction over various seats, including Shirur, Satara, Baramati, Hatkanangle, and Sangli, situated in western Maharashtra.
It is purported that should the Shiv Sena (UBT) be compelled to forego its stake in the Kolhapur constituency, Uddhav Thackeray may abstain from conducting any public rallies in western Maharashtra to support the MVA's electoral campaign.
