Letters of support collected by MVA from 160 candidates to form Maha govt

Mumbai: More than 160 of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidates and a few independents have signed letters of support for the coalition, promising to assist the formation of a government in the state if elected. 

Vote counting for the 288-member legislative assembly elections on November 20 began on Saturday.

The letters of support collected from more than 160 candidates will be presented to the governor after the declaration of results, sources said.

According to the sources, it is a normal practice.

Apart from the MVA candidates, some independents and rebels who may win the elections have also been approached, they said.

The MVA comprises the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) of Sharad Pawar and Congress.

The Congress had fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) put up 86 nominees in the elections.

In the ruling Mahayuti alliance, the BJP contested 149 assembly seats, Shiv Sena 81 seats, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. 

With PTI inputs