A political storm brews in Maharashtra after a late-night meeting among senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders and Sharad Pawar. The focus of the discussion was whether Sharad Pawar would return to the Rajya Sabha. However, no firm decision emerged from the meeting. Pawar remained largely silent when the topic of his candidature came up. Instead, he placed the responsibility of the decision on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. Pawar advised party leaders to first consult their alliance partners before making a decision.
Awaiting Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) Stand
Pawar is eager to learn the views of Congress and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) before making his final decision. However, neither party has yet openly supported his name for Rajya Sabha. Congress has stayed silent, stating that the decision should be made collectively by all MVA partners. Shiv Sena (UBT), which holds the most seats in the alliance, has hinted that it may seek the Rajya Sabha seat this time.
A Change of Heart After Ajit Pawar’s Death
Sharad Pawar had previously announced that he would not contest the Rajya Sabha elections again. However, the political situation shifted dramatically after the sudden death of his nephew, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, on January 28. Ajit Pawar’s passing disrupted the expected merger of two NCP factions, which was slated for February. Following his death, talks of the merger were postponed, and leaders from Sharad Pawar’s camp began signaling that he might reconsider contesting the Rajya Sabha election.
Tight Numbers in Maharashtra
The political arithmetic in Maharashtra presents challenges for the MVA alliance. To win one Rajya Sabha seat, 37 votes are needed in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly. Currently, the MVA’s combined strength only allows it to secure one seat comfortably. On the other hand, the ruling Mahayuti alliance is in a strong position to win six of the seven Rajya Sabha seats in Maharashtra.
Rajya Sabha Elections 2026
The Election Commission has announced that 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states will be up for grabs. The last date for filing nominations is March 9, and voting will occur on March 16. The counting of votes will take place on the same evening.
