Maharashtra Assembly Election: The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance on Wednesday finalised its seat-sharing arrangement for the Maharashtra Assembly polls. According to the agreement, the Congress, Sharad Pawar faction-led NCP, and Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena will contest on 85 seats in the election.

Addressing a press conference, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole said that the Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Shiv Sena (UBT) will contest on 85 seats each, and the left 18 seats will be left for the alliance parties, including the Samajwadi Party. He also added that the decision on the 18 remaining seats will be cleared by tomorrow. 

"We've decided that Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Shiv Sena (UBT) will contest on 85 seats each and on remaining 18 seats, we will have talks with our alliance parties including Samajwadi Party and by tomorrow they will be cleared. We are contesting the elections as Maha Vikas Aghadi and we will form the government," Patole said, as quoted by news agency ANI. 

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said consensus has been reached on 270 out of total 288 seats for the November 20 elections.

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"We will include Samajwadi Party, PWP, CPI(M), CPI, and AAP. Discussions are still on for the remaining seats. We have amicably arrived at a consensus on 270 seats. MVA stands united to defeat the Mahayuti government," Raut said.

Earlier in the day, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar assured that seat sharing will be finalised in the MVA today.

"Today, the final formula of seat sharing will be finalised in the Maha Vikas Aghadi and we will come in front of the press today, We have left 5 seats on high-command. We will explain the seat allotment math today." Wadettiwar said.

As the polling date draws near, both the ruling Mahayuti alliance comprising the BJP alongside the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have intensified their preparations.

The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23.In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena won 56 seats, and the Congress secured 44 seats. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, while the Shiv Sena won 63 and the Congress 42. 

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(With input from agencies)