BJP-Shiv Sena impasse over seat sharing still on
The impasse over seat-sharing formula continued a day after the Shiv Sena and BJP pledged to keep their alliance intact for the October 15 assembly polls. The Sena offered BJP yet another formula which the latter rejected, escalating the tension further on Saturday.
With a clear eye on the chief minister’s post, the Sena disagreed to reduce its share from 169 (out of 288) that it had in 2009 polls.
After offering BJP 119 seats on Thursday, it revised the figure to 126, but with a rider that out of these, 9 seats would go to smaller allies. It would keep 155 and give away 7 seats to another ally Swabhimani Paksha.
However, the BJP insisted on 130, five less than its earlier demand, but asked Sena to step down to 140 and distribute the remaining 18 between the four other allies. The demand is based on the Lok Sabha poll results, where the BJP won 23 seats against the Sena’s 18.
Last week, talks were suspended after Sena president Udhhav Thackeray raised doubts over the impact of a Modi wave in the state polls.
On Saturday, BJP leader Vinod Tawde protested the Sena’s revised offer. “After giving away 9 seats to allies we will have only 117 seats for us,” he said, adding that state BJP president Devendra Fadnavis would meet Thackeray to discuss the issue. The meeting was expected either late on Saturday or Sunday.
Significantly, Thackeray will address a meeting of Sena’s district unit chiefs’ meeting on Sunday where he may speak on the ongoing seat-sharing tussle.
Shiv Sena leader Anil Desai said there was no tension between them and expected the BJP to inform their decision soon.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission issued notification for Maharashtra assembly polls on Saturday. The returning officers started accepting nominations from the candidates.
HT
With a clear eye on the chief minister’s post, the Sena disagreed to reduce its share from 169 (out of 288) that it had in 2009 polls.
After offering BJP 119 seats on Thursday, it revised the figure to 126, but with a rider that out of these, 9 seats would go to smaller allies. It would keep 155 and give away 7 seats to another ally Swabhimani Paksha.
However, the BJP insisted on 130, five less than its earlier demand, but asked Sena to step down to 140 and distribute the remaining 18 between the four other allies. The demand is based on the Lok Sabha poll results, where the BJP won 23 seats against the Sena’s 18.
Last week, talks were suspended after Sena president Udhhav Thackeray raised doubts over the impact of a Modi wave in the state polls.
On Saturday, BJP leader Vinod Tawde protested the Sena’s revised offer. “After giving away 9 seats to allies we will have only 117 seats for us,” he said, adding that state BJP president Devendra Fadnavis would meet Thackeray to discuss the issue. The meeting was expected either late on Saturday or Sunday.
Significantly, Thackeray will address a meeting of Sena’s district unit chiefs’ meeting on Sunday where he may speak on the ongoing seat-sharing tussle.
Shiv Sena leader Anil Desai said there was no tension between them and expected the BJP to inform their decision soon.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission issued notification for Maharashtra assembly polls on Saturday. The returning officers started accepting nominations from the candidates.
HT
