Mumbai: Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad on Thursday said the party's Maharashtra leadership should have made equal seat-sharing among the three Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies for the Lok Sabha elections to ensure better development in the metropolis.
Mumbai has six Lok Sabha seats – Mumbai North, Mumbai North-Central, which have been allotted to the Congress in the seat-sharing agreement, while four others – Mumbai South, Mumbai South-Central, Mumbai North-East and Mumbai North-West . Went to Shiv Sena (UBT).
The MVA alliance in Maharashtra on Tuesday announced its seat-sharing arrangement for the Lok Sabha elections, with Shiv Sena (UBT) securing a substantial share with 21 seats, while Congress on 17 seats and NC (SP) on 10 seats. Will contest elections.
Speaking to reporters here, Gaikwad said, “Earlier, Congress used to contest on five seats in Mumbai, leaving only Mumbai North-East for the undivided Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).That's why we were demanding equal seat-sharing this time."
When asked if he was unhappy with the seat sharing, he declined to comment.
"We are accountable to our cadre. I have been continuously conveying the sentiments of the cadre in Mumbai to the state and central leadership of the party to ensure that the party gets equal seat sharing. But since the decision has now been taken, a As a loyalist, the former Maharashtra minister said, “I and my colleagues in Mumbai will either work or party.,
Gaikwad said he had told the party leadership that since its base is strong in Mumbai South-Central, Mumbai North-West and Mumbai North-Central constituencies, the party should get these seats.
He said, if victory and qualifying candidates were the only criteria, then Congress meets both these requirements on three seats.
"Even though some leaders have left the party, the party organization in Mumbai is strong. The state leadership could have made a better compromise for the party. It should have made equal seat-sharing among the MVA allies," he said.“This sentiment has been conveyed to the state and central leadership of the party orally as well as in writing.
On the question of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vinod Ghosalkar meeting the contender for Mumbai North seat, Gaikwad said that it is too late now.
"But if Mumbai North can be replaced by Mumbai South-Central, we will welcome it. But that is for the leadership to decide," he said.
Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra are to be held in five phases from April 19 to May 20.
Mumbai has six Lok Sabha seats – Mumbai North, Mumbai North-Central, which have been allotted to the Congress in the seat-sharing agreement, while four others – Mumbai South, Mumbai South-Central, Mumbai North-East and Mumbai North-West . Went to Shiv Sena (UBT).
The MVA alliance in Maharashtra on Tuesday announced its seat-sharing arrangement for the Lok Sabha elections, with Shiv Sena (UBT) securing a substantial share with 21 seats, while Congress on 17 seats and NC (SP) on 10 seats. Will contest elections.
Speaking to reporters here, Gaikwad said, “Earlier, Congress used to contest on five seats in Mumbai, leaving only Mumbai North-East for the undivided Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).That's why we were demanding equal seat-sharing this time."
When asked if he was unhappy with the seat sharing, he declined to comment.
"We are accountable to our cadre. I have been continuously conveying the sentiments of the cadre in Mumbai to the state and central leadership of the party to ensure that the party gets equal seat sharing. But since the decision has now been taken, a As a loyalist, the former Maharashtra minister said, “I and my colleagues in Mumbai will either work or party.,
Gaikwad said he had told the party leadership that since its base is strong in Mumbai South-Central, Mumbai North-West and Mumbai North-Central constituencies, the party should get these seats.
He said, if victory and qualifying candidates were the only criteria, then Congress meets both these requirements on three seats.
"Even though some leaders have left the party, the party organization in Mumbai is strong. The state leadership could have made a better compromise for the party. It should have made equal seat-sharing among the MVA allies," he said.“This sentiment has been conveyed to the state and central leadership of the party orally as well as in writing.
On the question of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vinod Ghosalkar meeting the contender for Mumbai North seat, Gaikwad said that it is too late now.
"But if Mumbai North can be replaced by Mumbai South-Central, we will welcome it. But that is for the leadership to decide," he said.
Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra are to be held in five phases from April 19 to May 20.
