Overview
- Congress leaders signaled they will support Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray only if he contests the Maharashtra Legislative Council seat.
- The party is preparing to stake claim to one berth if Thackeray stays out, with names such as Balasaheb Thorat, Muzaffar Hussain and Sachin Sawant under discussion.
- With a 29-vote quota per seat and the Maha Vikas Aghadi holding about 46 Assembly votes, the opposition bloc can realistically secure only one of the nine seats.
- Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut warned the election would be unopposed only if Thackeray runs, cautioning that the ruling Mahayuti could add candidates and seek cross-voting otherwise.
- Polling for nine seats is set for May 12, 2026, with nominations due April 30, and a separate by-election for Pradnya Satav’s vacated seat will require 144 votes to win.