The standoff between the BJP and Shiv Sena over seat sharing for the Maharashtra assembly elections ended on Tuesday with the RSS bluntly telling the BJP that it cannot break ties with an ideological partner. The intervention brought both sides to the talks table again. Leaders of both parties held discussions on Tuesday evening with smaller allies RSP, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, RPI (Athawale) and Shiv Sangram. The compromise formula, in which the Shiv Sena has agreed to give more seats to the BJP, also includes more representation of the party in PM Narendra Modi’s council of ministers. According to a BJP leader, the state unit and a section of the BJP leaders were keen on severing ties with the Shiv Sena with the expectations that it would open up possibilities of new alliances after the polls. They calculated that a split in their camp would prompt the NCP to snap ties with the Congress and fight alone, keeping the option of post-poll partnership with the BJP open. However, the RSS leadership was averse to this idea as it viewed the NCP’s interest as a ploy to get shield for its leaders, who have been accused of corruption while in the government. Besides, the top BJP leadership considered going alone would be a huge risk and if the party failed to get the expected result, it would be a “huge setback” especially after the party poor show in the recent by-elections. “A win in Maharashtra is certain if the BJP-Shiv Sena faces the elections together. Idea of going alone was always a gamble. The leadership did not want to take a chance after the by-elections,” said a BJP leader. The discussions with the smaller allies followed a fresh proposal from the Shiv Sena to break the stalemate. According to the latest proposal, Shiv Sena would contest 150 seats, BJP 126 and allies 12. State BJP president Devendra Fadnavis said, “Today we received a proposal from Shiv Sena. We are going to discuss it with allies and then take a final decision.” The BJP has been demanding 130 of the 288 seats, while the Shiv Sena has been rigid on 150 seats for itself. “Even if the Sena agrees on 130 seats for the BJP, it is unlikely that all of the remaining will come from its kitty. Both sides will talk to smaller parties and reach a compromise formula,” said a BJP leader before the talks. BJP hardliners were of the opinion that if their party accepts 126 seats, Sena should be forced to take 144 seats and the smaller allies should get 18 seats. This demand to make the Sena climb down from 150 seats to make space for allies got louder as the discussions continued late into the night. RSP chief Mahadeo Jankar said, “We are not seeking anything extra. We are asking Sena to consider those seats where it never won elections. Sena should accommodate us.”
