NEW DELHI: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala announced that the Congress will support NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar as the consensus candidate for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)’s sole winnable Rajya Sabha seat from Maharashtra.This comes as negotiations intensify ahead of nominations for the polls set to occur on March 16, where seven seats from the 288-member Maharashtra assembly are up for grabs.The ruling Mahayuti alliance—BJP, Shinde Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar NCP—with about 232 MLAs can win six Rajya Sabha seats without a contest.Opposition MVA (Shiv Sena-UBT: 20 MLAs, Congress: 16, NCP-SP: 10; total 46-47) eyes the remaining seat but needs at least 37 first-preference votes from the 288-member Assembly to secure it.Israel attacks IranUS-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Tehran hit by fresh explosions; death toll passes 1,000Mark-48 torpedo: The lethal US weapon that sent Iranian warship to bottom of Indian OceanMiddle East crisis: Is US using Indian ports to strike Iran? MEA fact-checks claimPawar, whose current term ends next month, recently expressed interest in contesting again despite recent hospitalisation, prompting NCP (SP) leaders like Jayant Patil and Supriya Sule to meet Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for discussions.Chennithala’s statement resolves earlier tensions, as Congress leaders, citing their 16 MLAs as the second-largest MVA block, had demanded the alliance’s lone winnable Rajya Sabha seat for itself—arguing it followed rotation norms and was vital for the INDIA bloc nationally.State Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal had suggested a trade-off, like MVA support for Thackeray’s Legislative Council re-election, but Pawar’s push and Chennithala’s endorsement signal unity to avoid a contested poll that could jeopardise the seat.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Slams ‘Baseless’ Claim Of US Using Its Ports As Iran’s Warship Is Torpedoed In Indian OceanBig Bihar Surprise: CM Nitish Kumar To Contest Rajya Sabha Polls, BJP Set to Rule BiharMiddle East crisis Hits Aviation: 1,500 Flights Scrapped As Air India Ramps Up CapacityMeet The Sheshnaag-150: India’s Answer To Cheap One Way Attack DronesHoli Colors Light Up Philippines As Filipino-Indian Community Celebrates Festival Of UnityRahul Gandhi, Kejriwal, BJP Leaders Mix Festive Wishes With Sharp Attacks Amid Holi CelebrationsPakistan President Asif Zardari Claims India Preparing For War, Calls For DialogueIndia Set To Double S-400 Fleet But Is It Worth Against Israel’s Iron DomeFamilies Overjoyed as 200 Stranded Indians Land Home Safely Amid Middle East TensionsMeta Blocks Social Media Pages Of Kashmiri Newspapers As Protests Over Khamenei’s Death Spread123PhotostoriesMark Zuckerberg buys $170 million mansion in Miami: A look into a tech billionaire’s ultra-luxury abodeBefore ‘Toxic’: The Kannada daily soaps that shaped pan-India star Yash’s early careerTop 7 tallest buildings in New YorkTourists beware: Strict international laws abroad that can land tourists in serious troubleBaby names inspired by victory and success7 effective ways to keep pigeons away from balcony and windowsFriday OTT releases (March 6, 2026): 7 new movies from ‘Gandhi Talks,’ ‘Baby Girl’ to ‘Granny’Who wore what at Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandhok’s flashy pre-wedding partyFatty liver disease is rising: 8 common NAFLD myths doctors want you to stop believingSudha Chandran recalls losing her leg in an accident at 16; says, “I have lived more of my life with my prosthetic leg than with my original leg”123Hot PicksIran war newsGold rate todayMiddle East CrisisGulf Flights UpdateIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingAP SSC Hall TicketsNFL RumorsJhoan DuranT20 World CupUS Strike IranLG Hospital AhmedabadMiddle East CrisisIsrael Iran ConflictChandra Grahan 2026 TimeSchool Holiday in March
NEW DELHI: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala announced that the Congress will support NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar as the consensus candidate for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)’s sole winnable Rajya Sabha seat from Maharashtra.This comes as negotiations intensify ahead of nominations for the polls set to occur on March 16, where seven seats from the 288-member Maharashtra assembly are up for grabs.The ruling Mahayuti alliance—BJP, Shinde Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar NCP—with about 232 MLAs can win six Rajya Sabha seats without a contest.Opposition MVA (Shiv Sena-UBT: 20 MLAs, Congress: 16, NCP-SP: 10; total 46-47) eyes the remaining seat but needs at least 37 first-preference votes from the 288-member Assembly to secure it.Pawar, whose current term ends next month, recently expressed interest in contesting again despite recent hospitalisation, prompting NCP (SP) leaders like Jayant Patil and Supriya Sule to meet Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for discussions.Chennithala’s statement resolves earlier tensions, as Congress leaders, citing their 16 MLAs as the second-largest MVA block, had demanded the alliance’s lone winnable Rajya Sabha seat for itself—arguing it followed rotation norms and was vital for the INDIA bloc nationally.State Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal had suggested a trade-off, like MVA support for Thackeray’s Legislative Council re-election, but Pawar’s push and Chennithala’s endorsement signal unity to avoid a contested poll that could jeopardise the seat.