According to the closed sources, talks of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance has hit a roadblock. It has been reported that the parties are at loggerheads with each other over five seats.
Wadala, Airoli, Belapur, Ulhasnagar, and Ausa in Latur are said to be the five seats that have been the main debate of the alliance. Traditionally, these seats were a stronghold of Shiv Sena party but Bhartiya Janta Party wants to contest on them too.
Interestingly, Amit Shah has also canceled his trip to Mumbai. The Union Home Minister was slated to visit Mumbai today to announce the final conclusion of seat-sharing talks with the Shiv Sena party. But now it is unsure that the coalition is on or not. The decision for seat-sharing formula may be likely to get delayed because of all this.
BJP state president Chandrakant Patil said that the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray are holding the talks and the decision will be out soon. Talking to the reporters of News18, he said, “The alliance talks are in the final stage. Chief Minister Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray are finalizing the talks. They are also discussing it with Amit Shah. I have thus decided not to make any further comments over the issue.”
Wadala (earlier known as Naigaon) was held by Kalidas Kolambkar. As he switched from Congress to BJP, the saffron party’s aspirations arose regarding the seats.
Shiv Sena leaders say that the seat-sharing means equal distribution of seats in the upcoming polls. Maharashtra has a total of 288 assembly seats. This means, both the parties will get to contest on 144 seats, however, the final tally has not yet been confirmed.
Important Dates for Maharashtra Polls-
- The detailed notification will be issued on September 27.
- Filing of nominations for will begin from September 27 to October 4.
- Scrutiny of applications will be done on October 5.
- Nominations withdrawal can be done till October 7.
- Elections will take place on October 21.
- Counting of votes will be done on October 24.
TIW’s Take-
Given that previously, Uddhav Thackeray-led party expressed its disaffection with the recent comments of Home Minister Amit Shah, it is likely that the seat-sharing formula will see more problems. The party is apprehensive of the BJP’s actions as Amit Shah was seen promoting the chief-ministership of Devendra Fadnavis. Shiv Sena had said that since the saffron party has decided on everything, all that remains is the need for pushing the EVM button.
With the cancellation of September 26 visit by Amit Shah, the talks of alliance further seem to be on the edge.
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