NCP offer mellows down Sena, may be part of next government

He added that the BJP was free to take the NCP’s support if it wanted. “They criticised the NCP throughout the campaign. If they think they can accept the NCP’s support, they are free to do so,” the Sena chief said.

Uddhav’s own confidant Anil Desai, however, hinted at the divide within the party. “We have no bitterness. If there is a proposal, we will consider it,” the MP said.

Other party leaders fear being consumed by the BJP.

A senior Sena leader said,“The BJP has left no chance to humiliate the Shiv Sena. Joining hands with it will dilute the Sena’s identity. There is a genuine fear that the party could absorb the Shiv Sena. The only hope for us is not becoming subservient to them, and maintaining our individual identity.”

This view is said to be shared by several members of the old guard, including Diwakar Raote.

Since the BJP and Sena first forged an alliance in 1990, the former’s support base has grown by a phenomenal 99.72 per cent. The Sena’s vote base has grown by half of that — 55.62 per cent.

Compared to the 2009 Assembly polls, when the BJP had got 14.02 per cent votes, it won 27.08 per cent of the votes this time. The Sena’s vote share in comparison has risen marginally, from 16.26 per cent to 19.4 per cent.

Political analysts too believe that a tie-up with the BJP could mean a decline for the Sena in the long run. “They may benefit by getting a few Cabinet seats now. However, the BJP will do all it can to absorb the Sena in its fold,” Dr Surendra Jondhale, the head of Mumbai University’s Department of Civics and Politics, said.