Disagreements emerge in MVA before the results, Nana Patole and Sanjay Raut clash over Maharashtra CM face

Mumbai (The Uttam Hindu): After the voting concluded on Wednesday, November 20, exit poll results of Maharashtra assembly elections exit polls sparked a war of words between Congress leader Nana Patole and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut regarding the chief minister’s position in the state. Although the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance is claiming that it will form the government, the exit polls have hinted at a possible rift within the alliance. According to most exit polls, the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition is projected to form the government in Maharashtra. In response to the exit poll results, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole asserted, “The Maha Vikas Aghadi government will be formed under Congress leadership in Maharashtra.”

However, Sanjay Raut immediately rejected this statement, saying, “I will not accept this, and no one else will either. We will sit together to decide if Nana Patole actually said this and whether Patole has control over the Congress party.” Raut further emphasized that such announcements should come from senior Congress leaders, adding, “The Congress high command, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sonia Gandhi, should make the announcement if you are to become the Chief Minister." This disagreement comes after earlier differences between the two parties over seat-sharing in the state. Despite reaching an agreement after extensive discussions, the leadership question within the MVA remains unresolved. Voting for the 288-seat Maharashtra Legislative Assembly took place in a single phase on Wednesday, and the vote count will take place on Saturday, November 23.