Mumbai, March 4: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar is poised for a fresh term in the Rajya Sabha after the Congress announced its support for him as the Opposition bloc's candidate from Maharashtra for the upcoming polls on March 16. The Congress-backed move ensures Pawar’s re-election to the Upper House, as the lone seat that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) can secure in the elections.

The announcement, made by AICC general secretary Ramesh Chennithala, puts an end to the speculation surrounding the MVA's candidate. The three allies—Congress, NCP (NCP-SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT)—had each staked their claim for the sole seat they could win, based on their combined strength in the state assembly.