NEW DELHI: In Maharashtra, Union Home Minister Amit Shah's two-day talks indicated that the NDA seats have been settled and an agreement has been reached by the allies. BJP will contest in 32 of the 48 seats in the state. Shiv Sena (Shinde) in 11 seats and NCP (Ajit Pawar) in five seats.

Amit Shah softened the allies who asked for more seats by pointing out the possibility of victory. Contesting in 32 seats is a big advantage for BJP. This is a proof that the BJP, which was limited to the junior partner of the Shiv Sena in the last elections, is the 'big man' who decides things. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar participated in the discussions.

In 2019, BJP contested in 25 seats when it was in alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena. Won in 23. Shiv Sena contested 23 seats and won 18 seats. The undivided NCP contested in 19 seats as an ally of the Congress and won all four seats.

Shinde's split from Uddhav Thackeray has the support of 12 of these 18 MPs. One in four MPs with NCP Ajit Pawar faction. Shinde Sena had claimed all the 18 seats it had won last time. Ajit Pawar pressed for all 10 seats. Amit Shah intervened when this bargaining seat got stuck.

Shah said that the BJP would not take away any seat where its allies had a chance of winning and that Shinde and Ajit Pawar would come to terms with reality. He also reminded them to work as a team to win more than 45 seats in the state. The seat agreement has not been made public because some seats are pending negotiation.

Amit Shah held meetings and rallies at various places. Also interacted with leaders about seats in Vidarbha region like Amaravati, Akola, Buldhana, Yavatmal-Washim, Chandrapur, Wardha etc.