Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 8: The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will need to close ranks not just to ensure the election of NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar to the Rajya Sabha, but also to secure another term for Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray in the Maharashtra Legislative Council. Thackeray’s term, along with that of eight other members, ends in May, and with just 20 MLAs, his party lacks the numbers to re-elect him on its own.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said party leaders have urged Thackeray to contest again and underlined that alliance partners would need to support each other in both the Rajya Sabha and MLC elections.

However, political observers believe the ruling Mahayuti alliance is well placed to dominate the council polls, potentially leaving the MVA with just one seat.

According to officials, nine members—five from the MVA and four from the BJP—were elected unopposed to the council in 2020. The numbers this time heavily favour the Mahayuti, which has 235 MLAs compared to the MVA’s 48, including CPM legislators. Three MLAs belong to other parties, while two seats are currently vacant. If by-elections to fill those vacancies are held before the council polls, all 288 MLAs would be eligible to vote.

Meanwhile, elections to seven Rajya Sabha seats are expected to take place before the council polls. Based on current numbers, the MVA is likely to secure only one Rajya Sabha seat. “If that seat goes to one alliance partner, another may have to be accommodated in the council, potentially leaving the third party without representation. A workable formula will be needed,” a political observer said.