Mumbai, Feb 27 (NationPress) As tensions rise within the Maha Vikas Aghadi regarding the Rajya Sabha nominations, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai asserted on Friday that the seat rightfully belongs to the faction led by Uddhav Thackeray.

“We will not relinquish our claim on the Rajya Sabha seat under any circumstances. Our MLAs have conveyed their opinions to party chief Uddhav Thackeray. In 2020, we supported the NCP SP candidate Fauzia Khan. Currently, with our legislative strength increasing, we believe that if our MP is finishing their term, then the candidate for this seat must be from our party,” he stated to reporters.

The elections for seven upper house seats are scheduled for March 16.

Commenting on the respected NCP SP leader, Sardesai remarked, “Sharad Pawar is a remarkable leader. Even if he has an interest in this seat or if such a proposition arises from the MVA leadership, we will still maintain our claim.”

Sardesai’s remarks came shortly after NCP SP working president and MP Supriya Sule expressed, “It is the shared desire of everyone that Pawar saheb be re-elected to the Rajya Sabha. The substantial support he receives reflects the respect and affection people have for him. Senior leaders from our party, along with myself, will urge Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) to guarantee his unanimous re-election.”

The contention escalated after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray emphasized that since his party has the highest number of MLAs among the MVA allies, the seat should be designated to them.

While the alliance's current composition enables them to safely elect at least one candidate, an internal struggle has emerged over which party will secure that seat.

Despite a high-level meeting involving Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leaders, no agreement was reached. Amid these discussions, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have taken a resolute stance, declaring they will not cede their claim to the seat regardless of circumstances.

MVA sources suggest that during recent meetings, leaders from the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) sought the seat for Sharad Pawar. When Congress leaders inquired if Sharad Pawar had personally shown interest in returning to the Rajya Sabha, NCP representatives clarified that the request came from Supriya Sule.

As Sharad Pawar has yet to publicly declare his candidacy, the Congress party has also asserted its claim to the seat, further complicating the alliance's seat-sharing dynamics.

The ruling Mahayuti holds 233 members - comprising 131 from the Bharatiya Janata Party, 57 from the Shiv Sena, and 40 from the NCP - and is expected to secure six seats, aided by smaller parties and independents, totaling nine.

In contrast, the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi comprises 46 members - with 20 from Shiv Sena (UBT), 16 from Congress, and 10 from NCP (SP) - thus limiting them to winning only one seat.