07 March,2026 02:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanjay Raut. File Pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said that senior leaders across opposition parties believe it is important that Uddhav Thackeray is re-elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council, describing him as a strong voice for the opposition in the state legislature, reported news agency PTI.
The statement comes amid growing political discussions within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ahead of the upcoming elections to the Legislative Council, expected to be held in April.
Raut's remarks suggest that the Shiv Sena (UBT) has effectively staked its claim to the one seat the opposition alliance is likely to win in the upcoming council polls.
The party had earlier backed Sharad Pawar for the Rajya Sabha seat allocated to the MVA due to coalition dynamics. However, Sena (UBT) leaders have now indicated that the alliance should support Uddhav Thackeray's re-election to the Legislative Council, reported PTI.
"Uddhav Thackeray is a strong voice in the legislature and the council. We all wish, and all senior opposition leaders desire, that it is important that he returns to the legislature," Raut told reporters in Mumbai, reported PTI.
According to Raut, the opposition alliance may realistically win one seat in the legislative council elections, given its current strength in the state assembly.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) currently has 20 MLAs, making it the largest constituent of the MVA. It is followed by the Congress with 16 MLAs and Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) with 10 MLAs.
Raut said that with proper planning, the alliance might aim for two seats, but one seat is almost certain based on the current vote quota.
"If the numbers are planned properly, we can win two seats. But one seat can surely be won," he said, reported PTI.
Raut also called for the Legislative Council election to be held unopposed, suggesting that the ruling alliance should allow the opposition to send at least one representative to the upper house.
"The government must first agree that there should be an opposition voice in the council," he said, reported PTI.
However, he criticised the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, accusing it of indulging in horse-trading during elections.
"The government is arrogant and addicted to horse-trading," Raut alleged, further claiming that the ruling alliance had access to large sums of money obtained through corruption and hawala, reported PTI.
Elections to nine seats in the Maharashtra Legislative Council are expected to take place in April as several members are set to retire.
Those completing their terms include Uddhav Thackeray, four members of the BJP, and one member each from Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, NCP, Congress, and NCP (SP).
Due to the current numerical strength of parties in the assembly, the opposition alliance is believed to be in a position to secure only one seat if the election is contested.
The latest push by Sena (UBT) for a council seat comes amid dissatisfaction within the party over the allocation of the Rajya Sabha seat to Sharad Pawar in the upcoming elections.
Based on the MVA's numbers in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, the alliance could win only one Rajya Sabha seat, which was allotted to Pawar's party.
All seven candidates contesting the Rajya Sabha elections from Maharashtra are expected to be elected unopposed, with the last date for withdrawal of nominations set for March 13.
Earlier on Saturday, Aaditya Thackeray, MLA and senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, indirectly expressed disappointment over the party not being allowed to field a candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls, reported PTI.
"Going by the number of MLAs, we had the maximum strength in the House, but the seat was given to the party with the lowest number of MLAs," he said, reported PTI.
The remarks highlight emerging tensions within the opposition alliance as parties negotiate their positions ahead of the upcoming Legislative Council elections in Maharashtra.
(With inputs from PTI)
