Uddhav's Dilemma | Maharashtra
Will Shiv Sena play second fiddle for the sake of a poll tie-up with the BJP?
Even as the BJP-Shiv Sena ties seem to have stabilised, the steady influx of defections to the former has led to speculation that a pre-poll alliance is unlikely for the coming assembly election. At least 60 leaders from other parties-including big shots like NCP legislators Shivendrasinh Raje Bhosale and Sagar Naik-have joined the BJP in the past one month, leading to jokes that the saffron party has changed its name to 'Bharti (recruitment) Janata Party'. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, though, has clarified that the alliance with Shiv Sena will continue and a seat-sharing formula will be finalised soon. "We have decided to go with the alliance. Let the media speculate whatever they want," he told BJP workers at a gathering on July 31.
Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray echoed the sentiment but claims the BJP has promised an equal share in power. His son Aaditya even claims that the BJP has promised the CM's chair on rotation. "I know this because I was present at the meeting when the promise was made. Only three people apart from me, Uddhavji, Devendraji and Amitbhai (Shah), were there," he told reporters.
A source close to Fadnavis narrates a different story. According to him, seat-sharing for the 288-member house will be through a tricky formula. There is no dispute on the seats they currently retain, the BJP's 122 and Shiv Sena's 63 seats. For the remaining 103 seats, smaller parties in the NDA-the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, Republican Party of India, Shiv Sangram-will be given a seat each. The remaining 100 seats will be distributed equally between the BJP and Sena. This means the BJP will contest 172 seats and Sena 113. A senior Shiv Sena leader says the party will not accept any compromise that will harm its fortunes. The final decision lies with Uddhav, who is in no mood for a confrontation. He refused to confirm or deny the formula. "I have finalised the seat-sharing formula with Devendraji. It will be made public at an appropriate time." So, has the Sena chief backed down? We'll know soon enough.