Mumbai, March 27: The Maharashtra Congress on Wednesday objected to the Shiv Sena (UBT) announcing its candidates for the Bhiwandi, Mumbai South Central and Sangli Lok Sabha seats, saying MVA partners must stick to "coalition dharma". Congress Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat urged Sena (UBT) to reconsider its decision. However, his party colleague Sanjay Nirupam adopted a more belligerent stand, attacking their leadership for letting the Uddhav Thackeray-led outfit grab most of the seats in Mumbai.

Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituents Congress, Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) have been holding seat-sharing discussions for the 48 constituencies in Maharashtra, where the Lok Sabha polls will be held in five phases starting April 19. Amid the talks, Sena (UBT) earlier in the day released its first list of 17 candidates for the upcoming elections and said it will contest a total of 22 seats in the state. Congress Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat said the announcement was not right. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Uddhav Thackeray-Led Shiv Sena Names 16 Maharashtra LS Candidates, Three From Mumbai; Check Full List

"Everyone must follow coalition dharma. Shiv Sena (UBT) must reconsider its decision," Thorat said. He said the Congress is still firm on contesting from Sangli, Bhiwandi and Mumbai South Central. "Unfortunately, coalition dharma hasn't been followed," he said. Thorat said his party's state unit has apprised the central leadership of the developments. The senior Congress leader also lamented that Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) leader Prakash Ambedkar has announced a separate list of candidates.

Ambedkar on Wednesday announced candidates for the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra, accusing the MVA allies of trying to use his outfit to promote dynastic politics. 슬롯사이트œConsidering the prevailing political situation in the country, the Congress made a genuine attempt to reach out to all parties who believe in democracy and the Constitution,슬롯사이트� he said. Meanwhile, former Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam slammed his party leadership for allowing Sena (UBT) to grab most seats in Mumbai.

Talking to reporters, Nirupam said 슬롯사이트œall options were open슬롯사이트� before him. 슬롯사이트œI will wait for a week and then take a decision,슬롯사이트� he said. Nirupam, who is keen to contest the Mumbai North West parliamentary constituency, said the party leadership hasn't got in touch with him in the last fortnight. 슬롯사이트œThe leadership isn't bothered that injustice is being done to its leaders and workers. Shiv Sena (UBT) is making us bend and we are doing it,슬롯사이트� he said. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Jolt for Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra, Prakash Ambedkar슬롯사이트™s VBA Names Eight Candidates for LS Polls

Nirupam criticised Sena (UBT) for declaring its candidates in four out of six seats in Mumbai. 슬롯사이트œIt is likely that the candidate for the fifth seat will also be declared tomorrow,슬롯사이트� he claimed. He alleged that attempts are being made to 슬롯사이트œbury슬롯사이트� the Congress in Mumbai and the party will pay a price for it. 슬롯사이트œI give my leaders a week's time to decide,슬롯사이트� he said. Nirupam claimed that the Sena (UBT) has given the ticket in Mumbai North West to an accused in an alleged scam during the COVID-19 pandemic.

슬롯사이트œI will not campaign for such a candidate. Didn't the congress leadership which speaks against corruption realise this,슬롯사이트� he asked. The Sena (UBT) has nominated Amol Kirtikar, son of Shiv Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar who owes allegiance to CM Shinde-led Sena, from Mumbai North-West. Sena (UBT) is likely to field a candidate in Mumbai North as well, leaving only Mumbai North Central for the Congress in the megapolis.