Sena-BJP Talks Hit a Roadblock Over Chief Minister's Post

Mumbai: Amid a sharp war of words over seat sharing in election-bound Maharashtra, BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy is expected to meet Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray today.

This comes a day after a BJP leader said talks between the two long-time partners are at a standstill.

The talks have hit a "gati rodhak" (roadblock), BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said on Sunday.

The BJP has set its terms - it wants each party to contest 135 seats, while the smaller parties in the coalition get to contest 18 seats. The Sena, however, wants to contest nothing less than 155 seats. (Furious Over Remark Against Uddhav Thackeray, Sena Fires Back at Prithviraj Chavan)

In 2009, the Sena had contested 169 seats. The BJP, which contested 119 seats the last time, feels entitled to a greater share after winning more seats than the Sena in the national election. (Maharashtra Chief Minister Only From Our Party, Says Shiv Sena)

The party with the most legislators will have the bigger claim to the Chief minister's post.

Mr Thackeray's sharp warning in his party's magazine Saamna that "a lust for power can lead to divorce" has upset the BJP.

But it is the Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut's assertion that the "Chief Minister can only be from our party" that has the BJP up in arms.

"Talks are stopped... Our workers are angry. Sanjay Raut is not a big leader. The next government will be formed under the BJP's leadership," said Mr Bhandari, tearing into Mr Raut. (Lust for More Seats Could End in Divorce, Sena Chief Warns BJP)

Despite the bitterness, BJP sources say the party does not want to disturb the alliance.

This is not the first time that the two partners have brought to the table brinksmanship and pressure tactics as they attempt to hammer out a seat sharing pact. But, say Maharashtra watchers, this is the closest to crisis point that they have come. (Seat Sharing Talks With Shiv Sena Positive: Maharashtra BJP chief)

Sources in both parties say that while all efforts shall be made to arrive at a consensus, each is preparing to contest all 288 seats in Maharashtra.

BJP chief Amit Shah, who is to visit Mumbai on Wednesday, could also meet Mr Thackeray. 

Sources also said that no decision is likely to be taken before next week, when the shraad period, considered inauspicious, ends. Elections will be held in Maharashtra on October 15 and votes will be counted on the 19th. (No Climbdown From Sena On Claim For Maharashtra Chief Minister's Post)

In the national election, the BJP won 23 of the state's 48 seats. The Sena won 18.

The Congress-NCP alliance, which has governed Maharashtra since 1999, won only six seats. They are also yet to agree on a seat-sharing arrangement.