99% of seat-sharing process with Sena, BJP complete: Ajit Pawar

Ajit Pawar announces 99% completion of seat-sharing talks within Mahayuti coalition, reveals candidates for upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Stating that “99%” of the seat-sharing talks between the three ruling Mahayuti partners (Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the BJP and the splinter Nationalist Congress Party faction) had been completed, NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday said the ruling coalition will declare their remaining candidates on Thursday.

Speaking in Pune on Tuesday after holding a meeting of MLAs belonging to his NCP faction, Mr. Pawar declared the name of sitting MP Sunil Tatkare as the Mahayuti’s candidate for the Raigad Lok Sabha seat.

Later on Tuesday evening, Mr. Pawar also oversaw the entry of Shiv Sena leader Shivajirao Adhalrao-Patil into his NCP fold, and announced Mr. Adhalrao-Patil’s candidature for the Shirur Lok Sabha seat.

“99% of the process on the sharing of seats is completed. The names of the remaining candidates of the Mahayuti will be declared in a joint press conference which will be addressed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, and myself,” he said.

When asked about who will be the Mahayuti’s candidate for the keenly-contested Baramati seat, Mr. Pawar said: “Let the suspense remain for a couple of more days. You will come to know on March 28. I can say that the candidate is who you [alluding to the press] think it is.”

Mr. Pawar was referring to the reports that his wife, Sunetra Pawar, would be the likely candidate for the crucial seat in Pune district.

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