The aftershocks of the Haryana election results are being felt in Maharashtra. They have given two prominent parties from opposing alliances—the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena (UBT)—an opportunity to mount pressure on their partners in seat-sharing talks. Shiv Sena (UBT) felt that the Congress could not do without allies and it was time for the national party to decide whether it wanted to go solo in the elections. The victorious BJP, who has the upper hand in Mahayuti, has been empowered further.

Both alliances are in the final stages of their seat-sharing talks. It is said that the announcements may happen any day soon—before or after the election is notified next week. The Maha Vikas Aghadi’s joint press conference is likely to happen on Dussehra, but nobody is sure whether the seat-sharing formula will be made public that day. In Mahayuti, the finality is still being worked out because the BJP wants its allies to put forth candidates having a very strong electoral merit if the Shinde Sena and NCP (Ajit Pawar) want particular constituencies. The BJP doesn’t want to contest anything less than 150-160 of 288 seats, the rest to be shared by the allies. It has led to a tussle between Shinde Sena and NCP. Both want a major share from the remaining seats.