Sanjay Raut meets Sharad Pawar amid uncertainty over Rajya Sabha candidate

In a key development ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut met NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar at Breach Candy Hospital here on Friday. Pawar, who is admitted for a routine check-up, is reportedly recuperating well.

Raut, in a post on X, said the meeting involved discussions on “social and political issues,” signaling continued dialogue within the Opposition camp. The talks come amid growing suspense in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance over its candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat.

The MVA, comprising the Congress , NCP (SP) , and Shiv Sena (UBT) , has enough strength to secure one of the seven Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant in April. While Shiv Sena (UBT) has staked a claim for the single winnable seat, NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule has indicated her party’s preference for Sharad Pawar’s reelection to the Upper House.

The election is scheduled for March 16 , with party leaders intensifying discussions to reach a consensus in the coming weeks.