Rajya Sabha tangle: Negotiation continues in MVA, BJP issues list of four candidates

With a day left for the last day of filing nominations for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is yet to reach a consensus on election candidates. Meanwhile, the BJP announced the list of four candidates for Maharashtra on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

NCP’s Parth Pawar will file his candidacy on Thursday, March 5, 2026, party sources said.

Rajya Sabha elections will be held on March 16. Seven of the 37 seats going to polls from 10 states are from Maharashtra. Depending on the formula and the strength of each alliance, Mahayuti may field six candidates, while MVA may field one candidate if the opposition reaches consensus on the candidate.

If more than seven candidates emerge, the election will be held on March 16.

Sharad Pawar’s decision

Although NCP(SP) President and incumbent Rajya Sabha member Sharad Pawar, whose term ends next month, has not yet spoken officially on the issue, his party has insisted on his selection as the MVA candidate. NCP(SP) State President Jayant Patil and MP Supriya Sule met Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday night, March 3, 2026, to discuss the issue.

“Congress and Shiv Sena will sit with us. After that, we will take a decision. No decision has been taken yet. We all insist that Pawar does.” saaheb “He should be in Delhi for MVA and NCP(SP),” Jayant Patil said on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

He refused to comment on questions on whether the BJP would field only four candidates if Sharad Pawar filed his nomination. However, he added that MVA will unanimously nominate a candidate by Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Dismissing reports of a final decision on the matter, Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray said no decision has been taken on the candidate so far. Sena has claimed the Rajya Sabha seat.

Sharad Pawar is scheduled to be discharged from the city hospital on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

State Congress leadership wants Rajya Sabha seat to be allotted to it, but some leaders Hindu He spoke to said that they might have to support Sharad Pawar if he decides to contest. Mr. Pawar’s party has so far insisted that his candidacy alone would ensure the Rajya Sabha poll goes unopposed in Maharashtra.

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

BJP released the list

Meanwhile, the ruling Mahayuti took its first step. BJP Maharashtra has announced its candidate list.

The leaders who will field their candidates are: Union minister and BJP ally Ramdas Athawale, senior BJP leader Vinod Tawde, Maya Invate and Ramrao Wadkute.

Although the NCP has announced Parth Pawar’s name to the Rajya Sabha, he is yet to file his nomination. Parth Pawar is the son of late NCP leader Ajit Pawar and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar. “His candidature will be presented on Thursday, March 5,” said an NCP leader.

Sources in Shiv Sena said they want two Rajya Sabha members from their party.

The last day to apply for candidacy is March 5.