Rumors about post-poll alliances have intensified in Maharashtra, with key leaders from Ajit Pawar’s NCP suggesting that the pre-poll alliance may not be viable after the results of the upcoming assembly elections.

Today, NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Dilip Walse Patil signaled possible political changes after the November 20 elections. He emphasized that the number of seats won by individual parties will be more important than which alliance secures victory.

“Then the real calculations will begin. Since there are six parties, there is room for a lot of math after the results before the formation of the next government,” Walse Patil said.

The Maharashtra elections are shaping up as a high-stakes battle between the ruling Mahayuti alliance comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde) and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, and the Congress, Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, which includes Sharad. Pawar’s NCP (SP) and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT).

“There are three parties in each alliance. Let’s leave aside the question of which alliance will win. What matters is how many seats each party wins,” Walse Patil added, referring to his contest from Ambegaon constituency in Pune district where he is pitted against the NCP. (SP) candidate Devdatta Nikam.

Walse Patil’s remarks came a few days after NCP leader Nawab Malik suggested that anything could happen after the election results. “No one is an enemy forever. No one is a friend forever. Some things change. We saw this in 2019,” he said, clearly referring to Uddhav Thackeray’s exit from the NDA in 2019.

In an interview with India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai, Malik said, “Before the 2019 elections, no one had predicted what kind of government would come to power in Maharashtra. Anything can happen.”

Malik also weighed in on the possibility of suspending the meeting, suggesting that Deputy Prime Minister Ajit Pawar could play a very important role in the formation of the government. “It will be a tough election in Maharashtra. It is a neck and neck contest and no one can say that there would have been a government without Ajit Pawar. Ajit Pawar will play a key role. He can also dictate his own terms.”

There is growing speculation that if the BJP and Shinde’s Sena fail to secure a majority on their own and Ajit Pawar’s NCP performs well, Pawar may drive a hard bargain or even switch sides if necessary. BJP is contesting on 148 seats, Shiv Sena 85 and NCP 55.

Maharashtra assembly elections will be held on November 20 and the results will be declared on November 23.