Mumbai: The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, is currently engaged in discussions over seat-sharing for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, sources have reported. According to insiders, the BJP is expected to contest between 140 and 150 of the 288 seats. The Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, is anticipated to field candidates in around 80 seats, while Ajit Pawar's faction of the NCP may contest 55 seats. Additionally, three seats have been reserved for smaller allies.

The NDA Mahayuti alliance faces a significant challenge from the Opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi, which includes Congress, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and Sharad Pawar's NCP faction. In the recent Lok Sabha elections, the Maha Vikas Aghadi made a strong showing, winning 30 out of 48 parliamentary seats in Maharashtra. The Mahayuti, which secured only 17 seats, is now aiming to recover its standing in the forthcoming state polls, expected to be held this winter. In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the alliance between the BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena achieved a decisive victory. However, a split over the Chief Minister position led to Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray forming a government with the Congress and NCP.

In 2022, Eknath Shinde's revolt against Uddhav Thackeray resulted in the fall of Thackeray's government. Shinde subsequently allied with the BJP to form a new state government. Additionally, NCP leader Ajit Pawar's rebellion against his uncle, Sharad Pawar, caused a split within the party. Despite these developments, the Lok Sabha election results allowed Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar to regain their party's name and symbol, asserting their positions as the true representatives of their respective parties.

Against this backdrop, the upcoming state elections are anticipated to be highly competitive for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance as it seeks to recover from its recent setbacks. The Maha Vikas Aghadi has yet to finalize its seat-sharing arrangement, and the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP are expected to engage in tough negotiations following their strong performance in the Lok Sabha elections.

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