Congress mulls ‘friendly fight’ on disputed LS seats

Maharashtra Congress working president Arif Naseem Khan confirmed the move underlining that the parties are unable to reach a consensus on around six seats

MUMBAI: The conflict over few seats between the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) is likely to unsettle the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Irked by the way its alliance partner declared candidates for Mumbai South Central and Sangli, the Congress is now mulling the option of a “friendly fight” on disputed seats with both Sena (UBT) and NCP (SCP).

Mumbai, India - August 30, 2023: NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole at a press conference, in Mumbai, India, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. (Photo by Satish Bate/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times)

Maharashtra Congress working president Arif Naseem Khan confirmed the move underlining that the parties are unable to reach a consensus on around six seats. “We had a meeting today and decided to communicate to the central leadership that we will have friendly fights on six seats -- Sangli, Mumbai South Central, Mumbai North West, Bhiwandi and one seat each from Marathwada and Vidarbha,” said Khan. “Our party workers are upset by the move made by Shiv Sena (UBT).”

State Congress president Nana Patole, leader of opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, legislative party chief Balasaheb Thorat and Mumbai president Varsha Gaikwad were also present in the meeting, he said.

“The leadership did not like the way Shiv Sena (UBT) declared candidates on seats that were under discussion. They feel they were taken for granted by the alliance partner, which is not acceptable,” said a senior leader.

Apart from the Mumbai South Central and Sangli Lok Sabha seats, there is also a dispute between Congress and NCP over the Bhiwandi constituency. Both parties have staked claim on it.

Meanwhile, a section of Congress leaders is also trying to organise a meeting between the top MVA leaders and the party leadership in New Delhi over the next couple of days, to bring an end to the impasse.

The meeting is possible as both NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray have agreed to attend the INDIA bloc rally along with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former president Rahul Gandhi at Ramlila Maidan on March 31. The rally has been organised to show their support for arrested Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.