Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray’s decision to stay out of the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) polls and instead field Ambadas Danve has triggered discontent within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), with the Congress signalling it may contest the lone seat the Opposition can realistically win.

The development has raised the prospect of a direct contest between the alliance partners in the May 12 election, a situation that could expose cracks in the Opposition bloc at a time when its numbers allow it to secure only one seat if it stays united.

Uddhav was elected unopposed to the Legislative Council in May 2020, months after taking over as chief minister following the formation of the MVA government. As he was not a member of either House at the time, he was required under Constitutional provisions to get elected within six months to continue in office. His election was backed by alliance partners, including the Congress and Sharad Pawar-led NCP, ensuring a smooth, uncontested entry into the Upper House. With his term ending next month, there were indications that Uddhav would be the MVA’s consensual candidate, making it the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief’s second stint in the Council.

The Congress, which had conveyed it would back Uddhav as a joint candidate if he chose to contest, on Wednesday objected to the Sena (UBT)’s decision to name Danve without wider consultation. “I had personally gone to meet Uddhavji to discuss the Legislative Council elections. We had already said that we will not oppose if Uddhavji is going to contest the election. But if there was a change in the decision, it should have been discussed within the alliance. We came to know about the decision from the media. This is not how an alliance functions,” Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal said.

Sapkal added that the party could now enter the fray. “We will soon take a decision,” he said, indicating that the Congress may field its own candidate if consensus is not reached.

In contrast, the NCP (SP) has backed the Sena (UBT)’s move, effectively isolating the Congress for now. State president Shashikant Shinde said, “We had demanded that Thackerayji contest. But ultimately it is for that party to decide. We will discuss and take a final call. We expect the May 12 election to be unopposed.”

The biennial polls to nine Council seats has become a flashpoint because of the numbers. With the ruling alliance holding a clear majority in the 288-member Assembly, the MVA’s combined strength of 56 MLAs gives it a realistic chance of winning just one seat.

Under the single transferable vote system, a candidate requires 29 votes. While the MVA can secure the seat comfortably if its constituents vote together, a split or multi-cornered contest could complicate the outcome and open the door to cross-voting.

Senior Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had earlier indicated that the election could go unopposed if Uddhav contested. “The MVA candidate will be announced…,” he had said, suggesting consensus was possible.

However, the announcement of Danve’s candidature made by Aaditya Thackeray a day before the deadline caught allies off guard, with Congress leaders saying the decision was not discussed within the alliance.

Party insiders said Uddhav’s decision was driven by both political positioning and internal party considerations.

Despite having backing from allies, Uddhav chose not to re-enter the Council and instead nominated Danve, a former Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House and a key organisational figure from Marathwada. The move is also seen as a continuation of the approach followed by his father, Bal Thackeray, who never contested elections.

Sources said the decision was also aimed at retaining and rewarding Danve, who remained with the Sena (UBT) after the 2022 split led by Eknath Shinde, despite efforts to bring him into the rival camp. Danve’s term as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) and as the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council ended in July 2025.

A party source said, “He had become an MLC earlier because it was required to hold a Constitutional post. Now there is no such requirement, and it is important that loyal leaders like Danve are given opportunities.”

Another source added that denying Danve a ticket could have risked disaffection within the party, especially given his organisational role in Marathwada.

The Congress’s reaction highlights unease within the MVA over coordination and seat-sharing, particularly when electoral opportunities are limited.

If the Congress fields a candidate, the election could turn into a contest between allies, increasing the risk of cross-voting that has influenced outcomes in previous Council polls.

Sources in the ruling alliance said they are closely watching developments, with a divided Opposition potentially benefiting the Mahayuti.

With nominations closing soon, Sena (UBT) leaders are expected to engage with Congress in a bid to avoid a contest.