Ahead of Council polls, Maharashtra Congress chief seeks better coordination among allies

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Friday stressed the need for better coordination among allies in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the broader INDIA bloc, urging a clear and collective approach to seat-sharing for upcoming Legislative Council and Rajya Sabha elections.

Sapkal pushes for collective decision on seat-sharing

Speaking to reporters, Sapkal said that given the current political arithmetic in Maharashtra, cooperation among alliance partners is essential to maximise electoral outcomes. He emphasised that decisions regarding seat allocation should be taken jointly and through structured discussions rather than at the last minute.

He noted that upcoming elections to the Upper House of the state legislature present a crucial opportunity for the opposition alliance to maintain its presence.

Meeting with Uddhav Thackeray ahead of polls

Sapkal recently met Uddhav Thackeray at his residence to discuss strategies ahead of the Legislative Council elections scheduled next month. The opposition alliance is expected to secure at least one seat in the polls.

According to Congress, the party is inclined to support Thackeray if he decides to contest the election, reflecting internal consensus within the alliance on his leadership role.

Reference to recent Rajya Sabha decision

Sapkal referred to the recent Rajya Sabha election in which Sharad Pawar was re-elected. He revealed that the Congress had proposed a formula under which the Legislative Council seat would go to Thackeray, while the Rajya Sabha seat would be allocated to the Congress, citing its national leadership position.

However, he said the proposal was not adequately discussed at the state level, and the final decision was taken by senior INDIA bloc leaders Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge shortly before the nomination deadline.

Congress accepted decision in ‘good faith'

Sapkal said the Congress accepted the final decision in good faith, even though the seat eventually went to an alliance partner. He added that had the Congress contested the Rajya Sabha election, the current scenario might have been different, potentially making it easier for Shiv Sena (UBT) to secure representation in the Legislative Council.

Need for long-term coordination within MVA

Highlighting the importance of planning ahead, Sapkal pointed out that multiple elections to the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council are due over the next two years. He stressed the need for a consistent and coordinated strategy among alliance partners, including the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) and Shiv Sena (UBT).

He reiterated that all decisions would be taken through dialogue and mutual understanding within the alliance, ensuring unity ahead of key electoral contests.

The remarks come amid ongoing discussions within the MVA over its candidate for the upcoming council polls, with Thackeray emerging as a strong contender for the opposition's lone winnable seat.