Mumbai: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the MahayutI alliance has “almost reached a consensus” on the seat-sharing talks for the upcoming MLC polls.The Mahayuti had almost finalised the seat-sharing formula, but BJP insisted that they get one seat either in Nashik or Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar from Shiv Sena and NCP asked BJP for the Pune seat, said the CM.“We are stuck on these two seats. However, we will find a way out soon. Now the difficult paper is over, and only the easy paper is left. Now all that remains is to tick the box,” said Fadnavis, after a meeting with Union ministers Amit Shah, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Pralhad Joshi and others, along with his deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, in Delhi.Fadnavis and Shinde are said to have also met Shah privately after their meeting.Last weekend, Shinde had met Shah in Delhi and spoke on the ongoing tussle in the Mahayuti over the seat distribution for the MLC polls, Sena functionaries said.On Wednesday, Shinde clarified that everytime he goes to Delhi, there is speculation that he is unhappy, but that is not the case. “I met Shah, but we did not come here for any political discussion,” he said.When asked about giving the finance portfolio, which was held by the late deputy CM Ajit Pawar, back to NCP, Fadnavis said. “I have not yet been asked for the finance portfolio. However, if I am asked, I will speak on that. I have not received any such displeasure. If any such displeasure reaches me, I will speak about it.”As per preliminary Mahayuti formula for the MLC polls, BJP will get the largest chunk of 11 out of 17 seats, while Shinde’s Shiv Sena and NCP will get three seats each.Polling for the seats will be held on June 18, while counting of votes will take place on June 22. The notification for the election will be issued on May 25. The last date for filing nominations is June 1, scrutiny of applications will be conducted on June 2, and candidates can withdraw their nominations till June 4.These seats have remained vacant for more than two-and-a-half years due to the non-conduct of local body elections across Maharashtra.
