Maharashtra Council Elections: Mahayuti Finalizes Seat Formula, May 30

Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance finalized its seat-sharing formula for 17 Legislative Council seats on May 30, 2026, after weeks of internal disputes. The BJP will contest 12 seats, Shiv Sena four, and NCP one, according to reports. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) completed its formula earlier, with Congress taking eight seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) six, and NCP (SP) three. Voting takes place June 18, with nominations due June 1.

Mahayuti Ends Weeks of Negotiations

The Mahayuti alliance settled its formula after Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde pressed for a larger share. Shinde sought six to seven seats but ultimately accepted fewer. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shinde met BJP’s central leadership in Delhi to finalize the arrangement. The formula allocates 12 seats to BJP, four to Shiv Sena, and one to NCP.

MVA Completes Its Slate

The opposition alliance finalized all 17 seats by May 29. Congress will contest eight seats including Chandrapur, Yavatmal, Bhandara, Amravati, Ahilyanagar, Solapur, Dharashiv, and Nagpur. Shiv Sena (UBT) will field candidates from Raigad, Jalgaon, Parbhani-Hingoli, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nanded, and Nashik. NCP (SP) will contest Pune, Thane, and Sangli-Satara. State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal announced the agreement on May 29.

Political Defections Shake the Race

Former minister Prajakt Tanpure joined the BJP on May 30 and is expected to contest from Ahilyanagar. Rumors swirl that Shiv Sena minister Gulabrao Patil may also defect to BJP if his son does not receive the Jalgaon seat. The Jalgaon seat remains contested, with Shiv Sena (Shinde) claiming organizational strength but BJP retaining control. These shifts signal internal strain within the ruling coalition.

Election Timeline and Voter Base

Nominations close June 1, with scrutiny on June 2 and withdrawal deadline June 4. Polling occurs June 18, with votes counted June 22. Elected members of local governing bodies form the electorate, replacing six-year-term incumbents. The election determines 17 seats across Maharashtra’s regions.

Final Thoughts

The Mahayuti formula ends weeks of internal disputes but exposes cracks within the ruling coalition. Political defections and seat disputes signal weakness ahead of June 18 voting.

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