In a key political development ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Mahayuti leaders Ajit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Eknath Shinde of the Shiv Sena, and Devendra Fadnavis of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are set to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Wednesday. The meeting comes a day after the Election Commission announced that the Maharashtra elections will be held in a single phase on November 20, with results set to be declared on November 23.

The trio is expected to finalize seat-sharing arrangements within the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena (led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde), and the NCP faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. This high-level discussion is seen as crucial for the ruling alliance as it prepares to face the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition in a closely watched electoral contest.

The Mahayuti faces a formidable challenge from the MVA alliance, comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). In the 2024 Maharashtra Lok Sabha elections, the MVA secured a dominant lead in 151 assembly segments, compared to Mahayuti’s 128 seats. The Congress led with 63 seats, followed by Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) with 56 seats, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP leading on 32 seats.

Despite a dip in their numbers from the previous assembly strength, the BJP remains confident. Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and a key BJP figure, expressed optimism, stating that the state awaits a “strong mandate” for the Mahayuti in the upcoming elections, which he believes will drive further development in Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, in a significant political shift, Mumbai Congress General Secretary Javed Shroff switched allegiance to Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction. He was welcomed into the party by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and state NCP chief Sunil Tatkare. This defection could further shake up political equations as the election date nears.

The upcoming polls are shaping up to be a crucial battle between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which aims to retain power in the 288-member Maharashtra assembly, and the MVA, which hopes to replicate its success from the Lok Sabha elections and return to power in the state. Veteran leader Sharad Pawar, considered the architect of the MVA, has vowed to continue his fight to put Maharashtra on the “right track,” signaling his determination to play a key role in the contest.