BJP and Shiv Sena continue discussions on six ‘challenging’ Maharashtra LS seats

The ongoing deadlock between BJP and Shiv Sena over six Lok Sabha seats, including Thane, Palghar, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, Nashik, Sambhajinagar and Dharashiv, remains unresolved despite multiple rounds of talks between Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis. Both parties claim strong winning prospects in the seats, leading to the stalemate.

Shiv Sena Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have failed to reach a consensus on the allocation of the six seats. The intervention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah may be necessary to break the deadlock. The bone of contention lies in BJP staking claim over Thane, Palghar, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, Sambhajinagar and Nashik while Shinde faction opposes relinquishing these seats.

In Thane, Chief Minister Shinde refuses to concede the seat to BJP, citing it as a matter of prestige and his home turf. BJP argues that Shinde faction lacks a strong contender to challenge sitting MP Rajan Vichare from the Shiv Sena UBT. The battle intensifies in Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, where pressure mounts on CM Shinde to field the party nominee against BJP’s preferred candidate, former Union Minister Narayan Rane.

Palghar witnesses BJP’s confidence in securing the seat with increased presence and RSS support. Sambhajinagar, formerly Aurangabad, sees clashes over candidate nominations between Shiv Sena UBT and BJP. The complexity of seat-sharing is compounded by NCP’s claim over Nashik, with Minister Chhagan Bhujbal asserting his candidature against BJP’s backing.

In Dharashiv, Shiv Sena UBT has nominated sitting MP Omraje Nimbalkar, while BJP is expected to field former Minister Rana Patil. Shinde faction struggles to find a suitable candidate to challenge Nimbalkar. NCP led by Ajit Pawar eyes the Dharashiv seat, shortlisting three potential nominees. The situation remains tense as the parties jockey for strategic positions ahead of the elections.