To Save Alliance in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena Makes a Final Offer to the BJP

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena has hit back against claims made by the BJP - that its long-time ally had provided "no formula" to find a way out of the current stalemate - and stated that it had offered a final seat-sharing formula in the wee hours of Saturday. (Considering a 'Formula' on Seat Sharing, Say BJP and Shiv Sena)

The two allies have been squabbling over the number of seats each of them will contest in the Maharashtra assembly elections, scheduled to be held on October 15. At stake is the post of chief minister, which will go to the party with most legislators if the coalition wins.

Sources in the Sena claimed that as per the offer, the party will contest 155 seats, while the BJP will contest 125 seats, adding that the Sena was unhappy with the way the BJP has treated it. (Shiv Sena Warns BJP on Seat-Sharing, Says 'We Are Not Asking, We Are Giving')

The BJP had earlier demanded that both the main parties in the coalition should contest 135 seats each.

Earlier in the day, top leaders of the Maharashtra BJP had met in Mumbai to discuss a way out of the current deadlock; the leaders who attended the meeting at party leader Eknath Khadse's residence include OP Mathur, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Sudhir Mungantiwar, Vinod Tawde and Devendra Fadnavis. (Seat-Sharing an Excuse to Break Alliance, Say Sena Sources on Row With BJP)

Mr Mathur later told media personnel, "There is no new proposal from the Sena. The alliance partner can come talk to us. We will go to Delhi with our list (of candidates) tomorrow". But back-channel talks between the two parties had been going on through the night, said sources.

"Shiv Sena leader Subash Desai has given a formula according to which 126 seats will be for the BJP and 155 for Shiv Sena," said BJP leader Vinod Tawde. He added that Mr Desai has also said that the BJP president can decide on the matter and contact the Shiv Sena president to discuss the issues.

The Shiv Sena is unhappy that the BJP wants to contest more seats in Maharashtra than it has traditionally done in their many years together. 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. (BJP Blinks on Seat-Sharing With Shiv Sena)

The two parties have squabbled over seats before, but this time the crisis is deep, senior Sena leaders have admitted.