The crisis over seat-sharing in Mahavikas Aaghadi (MVA) continued on Friday too. According to highly placed sources, Nagpur District Congress President Rajendra Mulak and MLA Sunil Kedar again called on Shiv Sena (UBT) supremo Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai requesting him to allow Congress candidate from Ramtek Assembly constituency. There are some other seats too where the consensus has not reached yet. About six Assembly seats are likely to witness friendly contests among MVA constituents, the sources added. Mulak and Kedar tried to convince Thackeray on Ramtek seat. But Thackeray is firm on fielding Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from Ramtek and is in no mood to change his stand, the sources said. As it is known to everyone, Shiv Sena (UBT) had demanded Nagpur South, Nagpur East, Ramtek and Hingna. But Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (Sharad Pawar) was firm on keeping Nagpur East and Hingna with it. The discussions discontinued as Congress did not want to give up Nagpur South and Ramtek seats. Instead, Congress offered Umred seat to Shiv Sena (UBT).

 

In fact, Shiv Sena (UBT) had long ago declared names of Pramod Manmode as its candidate from Nagpur South and Vishal Barbate from Ramtek. According to Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, in Lok Sabha elections, the party had agreed to allow Congress candidate from Ramtek. Congress’ Shyamkumar Barve saved the party’s face by emerging victorious. During Lok Sabha elections it was decided by MVA leaders that Ramtek seat would be given to Shiv Sena (UBT) in Assembly polls. Now, it was the turn of Congress to show magnanimity and allow Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate for Ramtek seat, pointed out Shiv Sena (UBT) leader on the condition of anonymity. Congress leaders argue that Ramtek is their stronghold and if the party candidate wins, it will strengthen MVA grab power in State again. But Sena (UBT) leaders are not buying this claim. According to them, in fact previously Ramtek Lok Sabha and Assembly both were contested by their candidates. From Subodh Mohite, to Prakash Jadhav to Krupal Tumane, Sena has been constantly winning this Lok Sabha seat. Similarly, in Ramtek Assembly, Ashish Jaiswal has been registering victories. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Anuja Sunil Kedar filed her nomination before she could get AB form from Congress. Her supporters expressed disappointment over her name not figuring in Congress’ first list. “Her name should have been included in the first list itself,” pointed out her supporters. On their insistance, finally Anuja Sunil Kedar filed her nomination papers. Sources said that her name would appear in Congress’ second list.