Ties must remain: Advani to Balasaheb

“The alliance has to continue,” Advani is learnt to have told Thackeray, underlining that the two parties are “old allies and natural friends”. Advani, according to sources, told Thackeray: “You are elder to me. Therefore, I have the right to your blessings.”

The meeting is significant in the backdrop of recent reports in the media, sourced to Maharashtra BJP leaders, that the BJP would insist upon a revised formula stipulating higher seat quota and rotation of chief ministership between the two alliance partners. Uddhav has ruled it out while emphasising that there would be no change in the old arrangement providing for 171 Assembly seats for Sena and 117 for BJP.

Advani’s move comes amidst speculation over an early Lok Sabha poll. As it is, the NDA with six partners, including a wavering Trinamool, is just a pale shadow of the once formidable 22-party formation. Maharashtra BJP leaders may be itching for a larger space for themselves in the state, but the central leadership obviously cannot risk losing a firm ally.