Uddhav's Shiv Sena Poses Challenge: Set to Contest 23 Lok Sabha Seats in Maharashtra

Shiv Sena, under Uddhav Thackeray, plans to contest 23 of Maharashtra's 48 Lok Sabha seats in 2024, potentially straining the I.N.D.I.A bloc. With Congress gearing up, seat-sharing discussions intensify among alliance partners in anticipation of the elections.

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Amidst the political landscape, Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, announced its intent to vie for 23 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra come 2024. This stance seems to challenge the cohesion of the I.N.D.I.A bloc, a pivotal alliance that stands against the ruling BJP. This decision potentially creates a roadblock for the established coalition and presents a looming conundrum for the Congress party.

During the previous Lok Sabha Elections in 2019, a BJP-Shiv Sena coalition dominated Maharashtra's political arena. The BJP claimed 25 seats while Shiv Sena contended for 23, marking a balance in representation. However, this impending separation in seat allocation could signify a substantial shift in the power dynamic within the state.

Meanwhile, the Congress, a crucial component of the I.N.D.I.A bloc conveyed its imminent candidate selection for the forthcoming elections. Asserting its commitment to fortify the alliance against the ruling BJP and its affiliates, the party disclosed plans to initiate discussions on seat allotment within the alliance committee.

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The Shiv Sena's stance on seat sharing was emphasized by Sanjay Raut, a prominent Shiv Sena MP, who confirmed discussions with key figures such as Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. Future deliberations on this issue are slated to transpire in New Delhi, indicating the gravity of this rift.

In parallel, reports suggest that other partners within the I.N.D.I.A bloc, namely the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh and the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, are inclined to retain their traditional seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This sets the stage for a complex jostle among alliance members, each vying for optimal representation, setting the tone for a contentious political showdown.