From Supriya Sule’s initiative to Uddhav Thackeray’s support: Why MVA backed Sharad Pawar for Rajya Sabha seat

Sharad Pawar's candidacy was approved by the Central leadership of the Congress

• Congress backs Sharad Pawar as MVA's Rajya Sabha candidate
• Shiv Sena withdraws claim, will get a Maharashtra Council seat
• Congress ensured NCP factions stay separate before backing Pawar

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After days of uncertainty, the Congress announced its decision to support Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar as the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate for Rajya Sabha polls from Maharashtra.

According to PTI, AICC general secretary Ramesh Chennithala said the Congress leadership has conveyed to him about the decision to support Pawar, a sitting Rajya Sabha MP, in the March 16 polls to the Upper House of Parliament from Maharashtra.

The decision came a day before the last date (March 5) for filing nomination papers for the biennial elections.

Pawar had earlier indicated he would not enter the fray but made a last-minute U-turn by expressing his desire to contest. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena, which had been staking claim to the seat for one of its own nominees, has withdrawn its demand.

Expressing gratitude to the MVA, Nationalist Congress Party-SCP MP Supriya Sule told ANI, “I am eternally grateful to the Congress and Shiv Sena for the large-heartedness they have shown. We have received a sign from the high command… Sharad Pawar will be the candidate from Maha Vikas Aghadi… As a national party, we should receive a place in the Rajya Sabha.”

How did MVA choose Pawar?

According to reports, it was Sule who had reached out to Congress.

Sule, on behalf of the National Congress Party (Sharad faction) held discussions with Maharashtra Congress leaders. She first met Uddhav Thackeray to seek support for Pawar, as the Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) had been eyeing the seat.

A report by NDTV stated that Thackeray’s son, Aaditya, said since they had once given up a seat for Pawar, it was time for the favour to be returned.

Sources told NDTV that the tide turned after Maharashtra Congress leaders reached out to Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress also wanted to ensure that the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party did not merge. They also wanted to ensure that Sharad Pawar did not join the NDA.

According to NDTV, Maharashtra Congress leaders took confirmation from NCP leaders that a merger between the two factions was completely off the table. On behalf of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), Jayant Patil issued a statement to the media, saying there had been no discussions between the two NCPs since the death of Ajit Pawar.

Once it became clear that the factions would remain separate, the Congress agreed to Pawar’s candidacy for the Rajya Sabha.

The Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) stepped aside, and Priyanka Chaturvedi, in an emotional social media post, expressed gratitude: "A special thank you to those who stood by me and offered prayers... These messages will help me stay focused and work hard wherever I am."

As part of the arrangement, the alliance will give the Shiv Sena UBT a seat in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, which will go to Uddhav.

Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar on Wednesday also said the party will support Sharad Pawar for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls.

The Election Commission announced the schedule for the upcoming biennial elections to the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) to fill 37 seats across 10 states, as the members are set to complete their term in April, according to a press statement.