MUMBAI: After prolonged deliberations, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Wednesday announced NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar as its candidate for its sole Rajya Sabha seat.
Maharashtra Congress in-charge Ramesh Chennithala conveyed to state Congress leaders and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray the decision of Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge to back Pawar as the MVA nominee.
Earlier, NCP (SP) Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule met Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to press her father’s candidature, while party leader Jayant Patil met Uddhav with the same demand.
Sources said that following the death of Ajit Pawar and the halt in merger talks between the two NCP factions, the 85-year-old Pawar was keen to seek re-nomination to the Rajya Sabha to continue leading his party.
“Earlier, Sharad Pawar had made up his mind to sign off from active politics and hand over the baton to his nephew Ajit Pawar. But Ajit Pawar's tragic death in an aircraft crash put Pawar and his party in a precarious situation. Therefore, Pawar decided to plug in again in active politics by re-nominating himself as MVA Rajya Sabha candidate and get active in Delhi and state politics and lead his party in difficult times,” said a source who requested anonymity.
Shiv Sena (UBT) had been keen to re-nominate its Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi, with Aaditya Thackeray backing her, while the Congress was considering senior leader Balasaheb Thorat.
However, the Gandhi family and Uddhav agreed to Pawar’s request to be fielded as the MVA candidate.
Meanwhile, the BJP announced four candidates, including national general secretary Vinod Tawde and Union Minister of State Ramdas Athawale, for the Rajya Sabha polls.
The NCP has fielded Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar, while Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is yet to announce Shiv Sena's nominee for its seat.
Maharashtra will elect seven Rajya Sabha members. Each candidate requires the support of 37 MLAs.
The ruling Mahayuti alliance can elect six members — four from the BJP and one each from the NCP and Shiv Sena. The MVA, with 46 MLAs, can elect only one member, Sharad Pawar.
March 5 is the last date for filing nominations.
The election is likely to be unopposed, as parties are expected to contest only their allotted quota seats.