FILE photo: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray
They have squabbled over seats before, but this time the crisis is deep and the alliance with the BJP is in trouble, senior Shiv Sena leaders admit.
"The sense we get is that the alliance is unlikely to continue. It seems like a deliberate plan to break '
mahayuti... seat-sharing is only an excuse," said a top Sena leader as the two partners exchanged tough words with negotiations over seat-sharing for the Maharashtra assembly elections at an impasse.
The Shiv Sena is unhappy that the BJP wants to contest more seats in Maharashtra than it has traditionally done in their 25-year partnership. The Sena asserts its place as the senior partner in the state and dismisses the BJP's argument that its superior performance in the national elections four months ago qualifies it for more seats to contest.
Both sides have talked about self-respect. But beyond the rhetoric, it is about hard numbers. There are 288 assembly seats to be shared among the parties in the "Mahayuti" as the alliance in called in Maharashtra.
The BJP has sent word that it wants to contest at least 130. Allowing for about 16 to 18 seats for their smaller allies, that will be far less than the 155 seats that the Shiv Sena is adamant it will contest. At stake is the post of chief minister - if the alliance wins the elections, the partner with the most legislators will get that post.
The Sena leader said, "There will be a rebellion within the Sena if the BJP formula is accepted... we are ready to discuss individual seats on merit, but the BJP can't throw ballpark figures."
He also pointed to the concessions his party has made. "The Sena did not ask for extra seats in the Lok Sabha elections or an extra ministry at the Centre. It stood by Modi after the Gujarat riots when other allies left," he said.
The BJP has indicated that it will not reach out anymore. It has reportedly given the Sena till this evening to respond to its offer. Mr Modi is said to believe that the party can contest next month's elections on its own.