Breaking News:MVA backs Sharad Pawar for Rajya Sabha, unopposed election likely, BJP declares list of four– What Just Happened

Ending days of uncertainty in Maharashtra, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Wednesday (March 4, 2026) formally announced Sharad Pawar as its sole candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha election, raising the possibility of an unopposed contest in the State.

The Congress central leadership decided in favour of Mr. Pawar’s candidature, giving up on its own claim and standing against Shiv Sena (UBT)’s demand. “The decision follows Shiv Sena (UBT)’s refusal to take a stand on the Congress’ proposal for (a joint) alignment between the two parties (Congress and Shiv Sena UBT) for one candidate,” Congress sources told The Hindu.

“The MVA will now support Uddhav Thackeray for his second bid in the upcoming Legislative Council election,” a senior Congress leader and a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader confirmed.

Numbers and negotiations

For the Rajya Sabha seat, the election quota in Maharashtra stands at 36 votes. Within the MVA, Shiv Sena (UBT) is the largest party with 20 MLAs, followed by Congress with 16 MLAs, and the NCP (SP) with 10. “Had the Shiv Sena (UBT) supported the Congress, we still had the strength to field one candidate. But Uddhav Thackeray did not respond to our proposal,” a senior Congress leader said on condition of anonymity.

Several State Congress leaders expressed displeasure over the party not securing either the Rajya Sabha seat or the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council berth.

All three MVA constituents had initially staked claim to the Rajya Sabha candidature. Congress argued that, as a national party, it needed a greater presence in the Rajya Sabha to strengthen its Leader of the Opposition position. Shiv Sena (UBT) maintained that as the single largest opposition party in Maharashtra and given the alliance’s principle of rotation, its claim was valid. The NCP (SP), meanwhile, contended that Mr. Pawar’s stature would ensure an unopposed election.

Emotional issue

Leaders from the Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) described the matter as having taken an emotional turn, with neither party keen to appear unsupportive of Mr. Pawar. “He is a senior leader and unwell. He wants to be in the Rajya Sabha. Supriya Sule (Mr. Pawar’s daughter), too, had been concerned about him. At such a juncture, not supporting him would have sent a wrong message to other allies. Mallikarjun Kharge ji and Sonia Gandhi ji decided that as the leader of the INDIA bloc, we must support him,” the sources said.

Comment: How one seat will test the MVA’s unity

On Tuesday (March 3, 2026) night, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, along with State president Jayant Patil, met Uddhav Thackeray for over two hours to discuss the issue.

BJP stance

BJP sources had earlier indicated that the party would not field more than four candidates if Mr. Pawar were declared the MVA candidate. On Wednesday (March 4, 2026), the BJP announced four candidates: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, senior leader Vinod Tawde, Maya Invate and Ramrao Wadkute.

“I thank the Congress central leadership, State leaders, Uddhav Thackeray and his party and family for their support. We are truly grateful,” Ms. Sule said.

“The MVA will continue its fight against the BJP. Sharad Pawar going to the Rajya Sabha is a good indication,” Maharashtra Congress president Harshawardhan Sapkal said.

Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew Parth Pawar is set to file his nomination on Thursday (March 5, 2026) as the NCP candidate from the ruling Mahayuti alliance. He is the son of the late NCP leader and Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit Pawar, who was the Deputy Chief Minister when he died in a tragic air accident in January. Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena is expected to finalise its candidate on Thursday (March 5, 2026), the last day for filing nominations.