The tug of war between the Shiv Sena and BJP over seat-sharing continued on Saturday without result. Rejecting the BJP’s formula, the Shiv Sena has come out with a new formula unacceptable to the BJP.
According to the new formula, the Shiv Sena would take 155 seats, BJP 126, and seven seats were offered to the Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathana (SSS) led by Raju Shetty. BJP state president Devendra Fadnavis is expected to meet Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray for further negotiations.
The BJP on Friday had offered a 158-130 formula to the Shiv Sena but, instead of accepting, senior Sena leader Subhash Desai came up with a new formula that has suggested no seat for other allies of the mega alliance except the BJP and Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathana. The meeting was held between Mr Fadnavis and Mr Desai in the morning.
Vinod Tawde, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, confirmed they have received a new proposal for seat-sharing from the Shiv Sena but added that the formula is unacceptable to them and Mr Fadnavis would be meeting the Sena chief to discuss the matter.
“Shiv Sena’s contention was that the RPI is ready to compromise on seats to save the mega alliance. Based on those lines, they have prepared the new formula,” according to sources.
The Shiv Sena feels they would accommodate Mahadev Jankar (Rashtriya Samaj Paksha) and Vinayak Mete (Shivsangram) in the ministerial council by giving them MLC seats, said the sources.
This has compelled the BJP to express its reservation about the formula. “We are of the view that all the allies of the mega alliance should be given some seats for contesting Assembly polls. But the Shiv Sena wants us to give seats to them from the proposed quota of 125 seats. If we take the initiative and give three seats each to the three partners then we will climb down to only 117 seats,” explained Mr Tawde.
Sources also claimed that the Sena has set a target of 150 seats and has decided not to lower that at any cost. “It has purposely proposed 155 seats for them in the new formula so that when the BJP will again come for negotiations the party can achieve its target even after giving a few more seats from its kitty,” observed the sources.
Top leaders of the state BJP will travel to Delhi on Sunday to attend a meeting of the party’s parliamentary board.