In April, the Rajya Sabha terms of NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, NCP (SP) MP Fauzia Khan, RPI (Athawale) chief Ramdas Athawale, BJP’s Bhagwat Karad, Congress’s Rajani Patil, and NCP’s Dhairysheel Patil will end
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. File Pic
Sanjay Raut on Sunday endorsed party legislator Aaditya Thackeray’s stand on the upcoming Rajya Sabha Elections 2026, saying that as the largest party in the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the Sena (UBT) has the first claim to the alliance’s lone winnable seat from Maharashtra, news agency PTI reported.
In April, the Rajya Sabha terms of NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, NCP (SP) MP Fauzia Khan, RPI (Athawale) chief Ramdas Athawale, BJP’s Bhagwat Karad, Congress’s Rajani Patil, and NCP’s Dhairysheel Patil will end.
MVA can potentially send only one candidate to the Upper House of the Parliament due to its reduced strength in the assembly.
As largest party in MVA, Shiv Sena (UBT) stakes first claim on Rajya Sabha seat: Aaditya Thackeray
Earlier this week, Aaditya Thackeray appeared to stake his party’s claim to the MVA’s lone winnable seat, stating that, based on the current numbers in the Assembly, the Rajya Sabha seat “belongs” to his party and that “talks will definitely happen in that direction in the MVA.”
Speaking to PTI, Raut said there was “no inconsistency” in the party’s stand and pointed out that the Sena (UBT) is the single largest party in the Opposition with 20 MLAs.
“There is absolutely nothing wrong with what Aaditya Thackeray said. We are the single largest party with 20 MLAs. The Congress has 16, and the NCP (SP) has 10. Therefore, whoever gets elected to the Rajya Sabha will go as a candidate of the MVA. As the largest party, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has the first right,” he said.
Clarifying his earlier remarks about Sharad Pawar, the Rajya Sabha MP said he had only stated that the senior leader had expressed a desire regarding the Rajya Sabha berth.
“I said that as a senior leader, Sharad Pawar has expressed his wish. He is a senior leader of the MVA. We will sit together and take a collective decision. But it must first be accepted that, as the largest party, Shiv Sena (UBT) has the primary claim,” he said, noting that the NCP (SP) chief has not officially declared his candidature so far, reported PTI.
The MVA leadership is competent to take an appropriate decision, he added, urging people not to feel undue “tension or pressure” over the evolving political situation in Maharashtra.
Referring to Aaditya Thackeray’s assertion that one candidate each from Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) could be elected, Raut said the former minister is well-versed in legislative affairs.
“Aaditya Thackeray understands politics and legislative functioning. Last time, Sharad Pawar and Priyanka Chaturvedi were elected. At that time, the situation was different, and we were together with higher numbers. Aaditya Thackeray will not make an incorrect statement,” he said, reported PTI.
However, he indicated that the arithmetic remains crucial.
Support of 37 MLAs needed to win RS seat
“One MP will certainly be elected. Support of 37 MLAs is needed. This time, we appear to have 10 to 12 surplus votes. We will need to mobilise another 20-21 votes. If that happens, two candidates can be elected. But at this moment, since Shiv Sena (UBT) is the largest party, we are bound to assert our claim,” Raut added.
The Election Commission is set to notify the polls for seven Rajya Sabha seats on February 26. Voting is scheduled for March 16.
The ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the NCP, has 232 MLAs and can potentially win six seats.
(With PTI inputs)
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