Pune: The third front — Parivartan Mahashakti — in its primary planning meeting on Thursday decided to contest from 150 seats and declared that it would field candidates against chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis . Its leaders also appealed to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange to join them. The alliance claimed that it had the support of more than 30 organisations.

The coalition comprises organisations headed by former Rajya Sabha MP Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, farmers' leader Raju Shetti, MLA Bachchu Kadu, and others. Sambhajiraje said, "I had a detailed discussion with Jarange three days ago. We support his agitation.

We want him to be a part of Parivartan Mahashakti. Even if he does not join us, I feel he should get involved in active politics by fielding a candidate." Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana chief Shetti said there is no dispute among the alliance partners in 150 seats.

"We will hold another round of discussions for the remaining seats. We are confident that all seats will be allotted to allied partners amicably," he said. Members of the new alliance criticised both Mahayuti and MVA, claiming that they have only exploited the people of the state for their benefit.

They also said they would field candidates even against the stronger politicians. "We will definitely field candidates against politicians like Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis. Our candidates will be strong enough to ensure their defeat," Kadu said.

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