This Article is From Sep 21, 2014

Shiv Sena-BJP Logjam Continues, PM Modi, Amit Shah Take Matters in Hand

Shiv Sena-BJP Logjam Continues, PM Modi, Amit Shah Take Matters in Hand

PM Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and Home Minister Rajnath Singh at BJP's central election committee meeting on Sunday

New Delhi/Mumbai: Suspense continues on the fate of Shiv Sena-BJP alliance, with the two parties failing yet again to arrive at a seat-sharing formula on Sunday. Though Sena made its "last offer" of 119 seats, the BJP maintained that anything less than 135 was unacceptable. Both parties, though, reaffirmed their commitment to the alliance. (Also read: NCP Core Panel Meet on Monday to Decide on Deadlock With Congress)

Hectic backroom consultations took place in both camps. In Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah attended the party's central election committee meeting in the hope of finding a solution to the stalemate. Though the state BJP unit is in favour of going it alone if the Sena is unwilling to accept its demands, both PM Modi and Mr Shah wish to avoid any unpleasantness with the decades-old ally, said party sources. (Also read: Maharashtra Elections: As Shiv Sena and BJP Negotiate, Smaller Allies Threaten to Part Ways)

Following a meeting with the state leaders - who made a beeline for Delhi in the morning - the party is also considering releasing its list of candidates on Monday, the day the fate of the alliance is expected to be decided. The seats they are looking at include the ones the BJP had won in 2009, party sources said. (Also read: Maharashtra Alliance Crisis: PM Modi, Amit Shah Attend BJP Meet to Resolve Stand-Off)

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's speech at the party's national executive meet, admitting that the big question is "whether the alliance with the BJP will survive," had upset the BJP leaders, sources said. (Also read: Shiv Sena's Final Offer: 119 Seats for BJP)

At the heart of the dispute is the post of chief minister - the partner that wins the most seats will get the post should the BJP-Shiv Sena combine  comes to power. (Also read: Maharashtra Polls: Want Alliance With Congress to Continue But Prepared for Divorce, Say NCP Sources)

Mr Thackeray said the Sena was ready to contest 151 of Maharashtra's 288 seats - considerably less than the 169 it contested last time. The 18 extra seats could be given to their allies, leaving 119 for the BJP to contest.

The BJP claims it is asking for additional seats from the 59 in which Sena never performed well. For the BJP, the corresponding figure is 19.

"If these seats were to be re-allocated, then we all would benefit," say senior state BJP leaders Eknath Khadse and Vinod Tawde.

The Sena takes that as a huge slight and says its cadres will rebel.

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