Aditya Thackeray (archive photo)
MUMBAI: The battle for limited opposition seats in Maharashtra intensified on Thursday with UPT Sena’s Aaditya Thackeray effectively staking his party’s claim to the only winnable seats for Maha Vikas Aghadi in the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections.Pointing to the current strength of the Assembly, Aditya pointed out that the arithmetic favors his party over its allies in the MVA Congress and the Congress Party (SP). In the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, the UBT Sena has 20 legislators, followed by the Congress (16) and the NCP (SP) (10).“If you look at the numbers, the (RS polls) seat belongs to the Sena UBT and talks will definitely happen in that direction in the MVA,” Aditya said.The EC is scheduled to formally announce the results of polls for seven Rajya Sabha seats, scheduled for March 16, on February 26. Among the prominent members whose term will expire is NCP chief Sharad Pawar. Pawar has already indicated his intention to seek re-election, according to Sanjay Raut of Sena UBT.The RSPs are elected by MLAs, and given the immense strength of the Mahayoti Party, it is likely to win six out of seven seats in Maharashtra in the next elections.
