Veteran politician and NCP (SP) Chief Sharad Pawar, 85, has expressed keen interest in contesting the upcoming Rajya Sabha election for the lone seat the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is positioned to win in Maharashtra. The Election Commission announced the biennial polls for 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states, including seven from Maharashtra, with voting scheduled for March 16, 2026. Pawar's current term ends on April 2, and his potential re-election has sparked internal discussions within the MVA alliance amid competing claims from partners.

The ruling Mahayuti coalition, led by the BJP with a combined strength of around 232 MLAs, is expected to comfortably secure six of the seven seats. The MVA, with approximately 46 MLAs, can realistically win only one seat if it votes unitedly, requiring at least 37 first-preference votes under the proportional representation system. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has publicly supported Pawar's candidacy, stating that the veteran leader conveyed his desire to return to the Upper House during recent conversations. Raut emphasized that the alliance would decide the candidate through consultation, describing Pawar as a "big leader of this country."

Tensions have emerged within the MVA over the allocation of this crucial seat. Shiv Sena (UBT) figures, including Aaditya Thackeray, have asserted their party's claim based on its numerical strength in the assembly following recent electoral performances. Meanwhile, the Congress, as the second-largest partner in the alliance, has demanded either the Rajya Sabha seat or one in the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC), according to spokesperson Atul Londhe Patil. Maharashtra Congress leaders have stressed the need for clarity on political alignments before finalizing decisions, highlighting the importance of unanimous consensus to avoid fracturing the opposition front.

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Despite the jockeying, several MVA leaders appear inclined to rally behind Pawar as a consensus candidate, viewing his experience and stature as vital for the alliance's representation in Parliament. Pawar had previously hinted at retiring from electoral politics, but recent developments suggest he may reconsider in light of his ongoing role in state and national affairs. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has reiterated that the alliance remains intact and will strategize collectively, with no formal MVA meeting yet held but discussions expected soon.

The outcome of these internal negotiations could influence broader opposition dynamics in Maharashtra ahead of future elections. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has indicated that if the MVA fields a single uncontested candidate, elections might not be necessary for that seat, underscoring the arithmetic dominance of the ruling side. As the March 16 deadline approaches, the focus remains on whether Pawar's bid unites the MVA or exposes underlying strains in seat-sharing arrangements.

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