Maharashtra Rajya Sabha 2026: Three contenders for one seat in Maviya! Trouble between Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena and Congress

By Samira Vishwas On Feb 28, 2026

News India Live, Digital Desk: 7 Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra are falling vacant in April 2026. According to the Election Commission, nominations for these seats can be filed till March 5, 2026 and voting will take place on March 16.1. Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)’s Sankatmaviya currently has the support of around 49-50 MLAs in the Assembly, allowing them to easily send just one candidate to the Rajya Sabha. The dispute is about this one seat: Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP): Sharad Pawar’s tenure is ending in April. His party wants Pawar Saheb to be sent to Rajya Sabha again. Shiv Sena (UBT): Uddhav Thackeray faction argues that this time it is their turn on the basis of numbers. The party wants to give another chance to Priyanka Chaturvedi or is considering a new face. Congress: Congress believes that it should get this seat to strengthen its position at the national level.2. Position of Mahayuti (NDA): The ruling Mahayuti alliance (BJP, Eknath Shinde faction and Ajit Pawar faction) is in a position to win 5 to 6 seats out of 7 due to its strong numbers. Ajit Pawar faction (NCP): Ajit Pawar’s party has indicated to make Parth Pawar the Rajya Sabha candidate. BJP: BJP can repeat veterans like Dr. Bhagwat Karad from its quota or give a chance to new faces. Can.3. Prominent leaders whose tenure is ending: The tenure of these stalwarts is ending in April 2026: Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), Ramdas Athawale (RPI-A), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena UBT), Dr. Bhagwat Karad (BJP)Fauzia Khan (NCP-SP)Dhairysheel Patil (BJP)One other seat (supported by BJP/Independent)4. Where is the problem? The MWA meeting held on Thursday (26 February 2026) remained inconclusive. Congress has made an ‘offer’ to Shiv Sena, but Shiv Sena (UBT) is not ready to give up its claim. At the same time, efforts are on to create consensus in the alliance on Sharad Pawar’s candidature, but due to lack of numbers, there is a fear of ‘division of votes’.