The Congress has started reviewing the situation in Maharashtra’s Lok Sabha constituencies for the upcoming general elections.
In 2009, the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party combine had won all six seats in Mumbai. However, the party feels that the situation in Mumbai North and Northeast constituencies is not favourable.
It is fairly confident though, of retaining the remaining four seats.
A state Congress minister claimed that the Food Security Bill would prove to be vital for the party to retain power in the state as well as the country. “Maharashtra will play a major role in forming the Union government,” he said.
“In 2009, both the seats were won by less than 10,000 votes and the MNS was a big factor. The MNS candidates had got nearly a lakh votes in both the constituencies. We cannot take our success in these constituencies for granted as it depended on the MNS,” he added.
Seat-sharing discussions are yet to be started. Congress sources indicated that while the formula of Congress and NCP contesting 26 and 22 seats, respectively, may not be changed, three to four seats would be swapped.
Additionally, ignoring the controversial comments on seat sharing made by leaders of both parties, the minister said that their respective high commands have already made it clear that the elections will be contested as an alliance.
According to sources, the Congress is willing to exchange Jalna for Hingoli.
Youth Congress president Rajiv Satav could be Congress’ candidate from Hingoli while senior NCP leader Ankush Tope could contest from Jalna.
The Congress also wants Amravati and Kolhaur from NCP, while the NCP is eyeing Raigad.