India, April 18 -- The Maharashtra Congress is likely to stake claim to one of the nine seats headed for the biennial Legislative Council elections scheduled on May 12, a move that could trigger a fresh round of friction within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) soon after the Rajya Sabha polls.

On Friday, Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal reached New Delhi to discuss the issue with the party high command. With the current numerical strength of the opposition in the state, only one candidate from the MVA coalition is likely to win if the alliance remains united during the election.

Congress insiders said the party is keen to contest the council polls and believes it deserves an opportunity after stepping aside in the recently ...