A major tussle has erupted between the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena over seat sharing for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, sources said. The BJP-led alliance is planning to contest 150 of the 227 seats.
Shinde Sena seeks 125 BMC seats
According to The Statesman, Shinde’s party has staked a claim to contest 125 seats, but the BJP is not inclined to agree. The publication quoted a BJP leader as saying that the Shinde Sena argues it is more effective on the ground against the Thackeray brothers, who have come together to fight the polls.
BJP draws red line on 125 seats
The saffron party leader said the BJP will not accept Shinde’s demand for 125 seats and will also not concede seats currently held by Uddhav Thackeray’s party to the Shinde Sena. The leader acknowledged that the issue was discussed during a meeting at the party office, but no final decision has been taken so far.
Mahayuti aims for 150-plus win
Speaking to reporters, senior BJP leader and election in-charge Ashish Shelar said the party’s aim is to elect more than 150 Mahayuti corporators. He said, “Bringing in more than 150 corporators in the grand alliance is our formula; this has become our decision.”
Shelar didn’t reveal details on seat-sharing
Shelar added that a meeting between senior BJP leaders and Shiv Sena leaders was held on December 16, during which party-wise seat positions were reviewed in the presence of senior leaders from both sides. However, he did not share details of the seat-sharing discussions with the media.
As per the report, BJP president Amit Satam, minister Yogesh Kadam, former MP Rahul Shewale, and senior leaders of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena were present at the meeting.
