Don't want to break alliance with BJP as it's for Hindutva, the Sena chief said.
BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy is expected to meet Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray today amid a massive row over seat-sharing in election-bound Maharashtra that, according to top Sena sources, is a "possible make or break moment" for the long-time allies.
The BJP is firm; 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)
"135 seats each is not feasible. The BJP had mission 272 for the Lok Sabha elections. What's wrong if Sena has Mission 150 for state elections?" Mr Thackeray said today, adding, however, "I am trying my best for an alliance. We don't want to take any steps to break the alliance as it is for Hindutva."
On Sunday, BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari had said that "talks have hit a "
gati rodhak" (roadblock)."
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.
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. (
Maharashtra Chief Minister Only From Our Party, Says Shiv Sena)
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.
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. (
Lust for More Seats Could End in Divorce, Sena Chief Warns BJP)
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.
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.