BJP will ally with Shiv Sena, but will not allow Sena to win more than 70 seats

Mumbai: Although Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah’s statement in Solapur on Sunday, cleared the clouds of suspense about alliance between BJP and Shiv Sena, a sense of uncertainty still hangs over it. According to BJP insider, the party will not allow Sena to win more than 70 seats to stop him from negotiations for key posts.

The seat sharing formula between both the ruling alliance partners has been finalised. According to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the existing 122 seats won by the BJP and the 63 seats won by the Sena will remain the same. ”The existing seats will not be changed while seat sharing negotiations with the Sena. We will share some seats with our smaller alliance partners and the remaining seats will be shared as 50 percent each among us,” said Fadnavis.

According to this formula, it is expected that not more than five seats will be shared with smaller alliance partners. After setting aside existing 185 seats and six seats sharing with allies, the BJP and the Sena would share 98 seats among them. In this way, BJP can contest 171 (122+49) seats whereas Sena would contest 112 (63+49) seats.

However, the sources in the BJP said,”It is not quite possible for any party to win hundred percent seats that it will contest. Hence, we cannot win the whole 171 seats. On the other hand, party’s internal survey says BJP could win at least 160 seats if it contests assembly elections separately. After Shah’s statement, it is clear that we will go in for alliance with Sena in state assembly polls.”

Recalling an invitation given by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawaro to Sena President Uddhav Thackeray to form a coalition government with support of Congress and NCP, the BJP sources said that if BJP could win only 130 seats and Sena will reach to 80 to 90, there are possibility of Congress -NCP may give offer to Sena again to form the non-BJP government in the state.

”Our Chanakya has suggested Sena must not win more than 70 seats to avoid any unwanted political circumstances. Sena must be depended upon BJP for formation of government after the result, ” said the sources and added this time Uddhav would address less public rallies and instead promote Aaditya, Yuva Sena President and his son during poll campaign. He added, the strategy is ready and will be implemented.-Vivek Bhavsar