Congress’ defeat in Haryana and very poor performance in Jammu and Kashmir will have an immediate impact on the ongoing seat sharing in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. There is talk of seat sharing between Congress and its allies in both the states. In Maharashtra, Congress has to share seats with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar’s NCP. On the other hand, in Jharkhand, there is talk of coordination with Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and RJD and the matter on seat sharing is complicated. In both the states, regional parties are asking Congress to give up more seats.
The way in Jammu and Kashmir the National Conference won 42 seats after fighting on 51 seats and the Congress could win only six seats after fighting on 31 seats or the way in Haryana the Aam Aadmi Party fought separately and made Congress lose five seats, Maharashtra and The bargaining power of Jharkhand’s allies has increased. In Jharkhand, JMM is demanding more seats after winning 30 seats in the Assembly and three in the Lok Sabha. She wants to contest 48 to 50 seats and is asking Congress to contest on 25 seats. RJD is also claiming to reduce its seats. Similarly, in Maharashtra both the parties want Congress to contest on 100 seats. Congress’s demand is for 125 or more seats.