Congress objects to Shiv Sena (UBT) naming candidates for seats under discussion

Cracks emerge in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra as Congress leaders in the state object to ally Shiv Sena (UBT) announcing candidates from seats still under discussion.

"Sena should not have announced candidates from Mumbai South Central, Bhwandi and Sangli. These were still under discussion," Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat said.

The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena on Wednesday named Anil Desai from the Mumbai South Central constituency and Chandrahar Patil from Sangli. The two Lok Sabha constituencies were among 17 seats for which Sena (UBT) nominated contestants.

Congress leaders are said to be upset with the move. "How can candidates' names be announced in a one-sided manner," Thorat, who was leading seat-sharing negotiations in the state on behalf of Congress, asked.

Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad and senior leader Sanjay Nirupam too expressed their displeasure with their MVA ally.

Congress, too, has declared a few candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, but only on seats where there is no tussle with its alliance partners.

Another MVA ally, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) is yet to officially declare its candidates.

Maharashtra, which has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second highest after Uttar Pradesh (80), will vote in five phases starting from April 19.