The proposers are citing this combo formula to various stakeholders as the most viable option to build a larger consensus by cutting across the MVA fault-lines given Pawar’s and Thackeray’s stature and seniority. The proposal is slated to be discussed by Opposition leaders in Delhi and Mumbai before the formal MVA meet to pick the nominees.
The MVA has the combined strength to win only one of the Rajya Sabha seats and Legislative Council seats respectively in the state for which elections are due early next month. Both Pawar and Thackeray are among the outgoing members.
The consensus-building exercise has gained pace after initial rounds of public positioning that saw allies, especially Sena (UBT) and Congress, staking their respective claims for the RS seat. Sources said with Pawar now discharged from hospital where he was recuperating over the last few days, there is larger clarity that the senior most Maharashtra leader is open to contest for another term. Similarly, within Sena, and also MVA, a view is gaining that Thackeray too should extend his term in the council, a post that he took when he became the MVA chief minister five years ago.
A recent meeting of senior Maharashtra Congress leaders felt they should wait and watch the delicate internal play within the MVA and between two NCP factions even as some of them felt that if they have to yield seats to the allies, it should be by reserving the party’s claim on the next round of vacancies.
