MUMBAI: The Election Commission of India on Wednesday announced the schedule for the biennial elections to 37 vacant Rajya Sabha seats, which includes seven from Maharashtra. The ruling coalition, Mahayuti, is set to secure six seats, whereas the Maha Vikas Aghadi is expected to obtain one seat, reflecting their respective strengths in the state Assembly.
The polling is scheduled for March 16, and the deadline for filing nominations is from February 26 to March 5.
The seven Rajya Sabha members from Maharashtra whose terms are set to expire on April 2 are Sharad Pawar, Fauzia Khan (NCP-SP), Dr Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, Dhairyasheel Patil (BJP), Ramdas Athawale (RPI chief), Priyanka Vikram Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena UBT) and Rajani Patil (Congress).
Since the election is for seven seats, 37 first preference votes will be required to win. Depending on the strength of the Assembly, four candidates from the BJP, one each from Shiv Sena (Shinde) and NCP (Ajit Pawar) and one candidate from the opposition can be elected. Considering the party-wise strength, this election is more likely to be unopposed.