MUMBAI: In the lead-up to the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has voiced his frustration over the protracted negotiations regarding seat-sharing among the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners. Raut specifically criticized the Maharashtra Congress leaders, accusing them of being indecisive and causing delays in finalizing the seat-sharing arrangement. 

Raut said that the MVA coalition, which includes his party Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and the Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP), has reached an agreement on 200 out of the 288 assembly seats and expressed concerns about the remaining seats and the need for a swift resolution. Raut plans to discuss the matter with senior Congress leaders in Delhi to expedite the process. 

According to Raut, the pending decision should be expedited as very little time is left and remarked that Maharashtra Congress leaders are not capable of making decisions. He also said that the seat-sharing talks between his party and the NCP-SP have concluded, as these two parties are driven by a desire and mindset to resolve issues. However, the Congress has to send the list to Delhi frequently, and then discussions happen. "The decision will have to be made as soon as possible," he added. 

The Shiv Sena (UBT) is reportedly aiming to contest between 90 to 100 seats, while the Congress is looking to secure 110 to 120 seats, and the NCP-SP is eyeing around 80 seats. The delay in finalizing the seat-sharing agreement has added pressure on the opposition coalition as the November 20 polls approach. 

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has also weighed in, cautioning that disagreements should not escalate to a breaking point and expressing confidence that a deal will be reached soon. Raut emphasized that the discussions surrounding seat allocation have stalled, indicating that the Shiv Sena (UBT) is ready to move forward with strategic planning for the upcoming elections.

The Sena UBT leader's frustration against Congress reflects a broader sentiment of dissatisfaction with Congress's handling of the seat-sharing discussions, as he called for more decisive action to finalize the agreement and also highlighted the growing tensions within the coalition.