The leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition will hold a joint press conference on Saturday, addressing reports of internal tensions ahead of the upcoming legislative council and assembly elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Sharad Pawar, and Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole are set to speak to the media as they prepare for the polls.
**Background and Achievements:**
The MVA alliance achieved a notable performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections, winning 31 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra. The breakdown of the seats is as follows:
- Congress: 13 seats
- Shiv Sena: 9 seats
- NCP (Sharad Pawar): 8 seats
**Reported Internal Tensions:**
Despite their electoral success, recent statements by Congress and Shiv Sena leaders have reportedly caused some friction within the alliance:
- Nana Patole, the Maharashtra Congress state president, asserted that Congress has become the dominant force in the state and announced that the party will contest 150 seats in the upcoming assembly polls.
- Uddhav Thackeray announced candidates for the four legislative council seats (Teachers' and Graduates' constituencies) without consulting MVA allies, which upset the Congress state leadership.Â
**Mediation and Resolution:**
Sharad Pawar reportedly mediated between the parties to resolve the issues. Sources indicate that this mediation has paved the way for the joint press conference, scheduled for Saturday at 2 pm.
**Upcoming Elections:**
- The legislative council elections for the Graduates' and Teachers' constituencies (two seats each) in Mumbai, Konkan, and Nashik are set for June 26, with results to be announced on July 1.
The joint press conference is expected to demonstrate a unified front by the MVA leaders, aiming to dispel any notions of discord and to strategize for the upcoming legislative council and assembly elections.
