Mumbai, Feb 18 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India has unveiled the timeline for the upcoming biennial elections to fill 37 vacant Rajya Sabha seats, including seven from Maharashtra. The ruling coalition, Mahayuti, is poised to capture six of these seats, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi is anticipated to secure one, mirroring their respective strengths in the state Assembly.

The elections are slated for March 16, with the nomination period running from February 26 to March 5.

The current Rajya Sabha members from Maharashtra whose terms expire on April 2 include Sharad Pawar, Fauzia Khan (NCP-SP), Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, Dhairyasheel Patil (BJP), Ramdas Athawale (RPI chief), Priyanka Vikram Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena UBT), and Rajani Patil (Congress).

Winning a seat in this election requires 37 first preference votes since there are seven available. Based on the Assembly's strength, it is plausible for four candidates from the BJP, one each from Shiv Sena (Shinde) and NCP (Ajit Pawar), and one from the opposition to be elected. Given the party strengths, this election appears likely to be uncontested.

With BJP holding 132 MLAs, four candidates could win with support from Independents and smaller parties. The Shiv Sena commands 20 additional votes, making it challenging for the BJP to concede another seat to Shinde's faction. Thus, Shiv Sena is expected to secure one seat comfortably, while the Ajit Pawar faction seems poised for another.

Within the Mahavikas Aghadi, the Shiv Sena (UBT) holds 20 votes, Congress has 16, and the NCP (Sharad Pawar group) possesses 10 votes collectively. If Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress collaborate, one seat can be achieved.

A significant factor in this election is the potential role of NCP-SP leader Sharad Pawar. Discussions about merging both factions of the NCP are ongoing, although a merger does not appear imminent. Questions arise regarding whether the Ajit Pawar faction will allow this seat for Sharad Pawar. Is Sharad Pawar genuinely interested in re-election to the Rajya Sabha? This is a hot topic in state politics.

Sanjay Raut, a Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, has already suggested that Sharad Pawar should be re-elected. Should Sharad Pawar be the candidate, Congress would likely support him, facilitating his election.

In previous elections, Ramdas Athawale of the Republican Party has relied on alliances with Congress, NCP, or BJP for success. His past successes have not been achieved independently. The BJP previously supported Athawale, even appointing him as Minister of State at the Centre. With no state elections for the next three years, it’s intriguing whether the BJP will give Athawale another chance or opt for a different nominee.