Mumbai: Bharatiya Janata Party is hoping for better outcome from the Assembly polls of Maharashtra even when Shiv Sena has been adamant on not to give equal seats to its ally Bharatiya Janata Party to contest polls.
Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray said, “We are already holding discussions with BJP. Whenever something will be decided, you will know.”
The Sena is adamant and said it will contest on at least 150 seats in the 288-member Assembly. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said Uddhav Thackeray was not told about any 135-seat sharing formula. He said, “We will fight on at least 150 seats. This is Maharashtra and Shiv Sena is powerful here.”
The Sena had also threatened to break the alliance if the BJP demanded a greater seat share.
Meanwhile BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had rubbish the threat of political divorce with Shiv Sena and said, “Shiv Sena is a time tested friend. I’m sure seat sharing talks will be positive. It’s premature to comment on any statement or write up.”
On Sunday, BJP leader in-charge of Maharashtra affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the party had proposed that after allotting respective share of seats to smaller alliance partners, including RPI (Athavale) and Swabhiman Party led by Raju Shetty, the remaining seats should be divided equally between BJP and Shiv Sena.
Rudy said, “Based on this, we expect to contest about 135 seats, leaving the same number to Shiv Sena.”
Rudy had also expressed displeasure over the statement of Thackeray and said, “It is desirable to refrain from making such statements prior to elections and talks.”
Bureau Report
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