Mumbai: The deadlock over seat-sharing between the allies that make up the mega alliance continued on Tuesday despite the announcement by the Shiv Sena and BJP in the day that their alliance would remain intact. Shifting its stand, the BJP, in a meeting attended by all the leaders of the allies on Tuesday night at Hotel Sofitel in suburban Mumbai, clarified that it too was not interested in remaining part of the mega alliance when the other four allies expressed displeasure over the 11 seats offered to them, sources claimed.
According to sources, the Shiv Sena has offered a new formula, proposing 151 seats for itself, 126 seats for the BJP and 11 seats for the other four allies. However, BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar claimed no one was upset in the meeting. “Very soon you will get good news,” Mr Mungantiwar commented. RPI chief Ramdas Athawale left the hotel without talking to the media and is said to be very upset.
Meanwhile NCP talks tough on seat sharing
Taking an aggressive stand over seat-sharing between the ruling alliance, NCP has demanded the chief ministerial post for 2.5 years in addition to the equal share of 144 seats. The Congress leaders have refused the demands and the talks between the alliance partners were left without any conclusion. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan also hinted that the Congress is ready to go solo and has discussed about all the 288 constituencies.
“The NCP has made three demands, which include the chief minister’s post for 2.5 years, 144 seats to contest the Assembly polls and exchange of seats for independent MLAs who entered their party in the last five years. No decision was taken on the demands and the talks were inconclusive,” industries minister and Congress campaign committee chief Narayan Rane said. The parties held a meeting to discuss seat-sharing on Tuesday morning at Mr Chavan’s official residence “Varsha”.
