Shiv Sena, BJP may squabble over seats, but neither will break the alliance

Mumbai: The BJP may have suspended seat-sharing talks with the Shiv Sena over Uddhav Thackeray’s claim to the CM post and for criticizing the Modi wave during the run up to the Lok Sabha elections, but the saffron alliance in Maharashtra is nowhere near over. The combine at the end, will stay together in all likelihood as they are not about to let go of what will be their best chance to come to power in the state after 15 years. The current tension between the Sena and BJP which is over seat-sharing, is likely to be resolved this week. [caption id=“attachment_1712843” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Parag Shinde/Firstpost[/caption] Basically, the party is adamant that it wants to contest 150 assembly seats, cementing its position as the senior partner in the coalition. In July in fact, Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray launched ‘Mission 150’, activating  youth, students and other affiliated wings of the party to do ground work for Assembly elections. Sena leaders say that the ‘Mission 150’ was launched with an aim to make Sena president Uddhav Thackeray the next chief minister. The Sena leaders are of the view that the party should contest at least 20-25 more seats than the BJP. “If we contest less than 150, then we will have to face wrath from cadres now that we have launched a ‘Mission 150’ campaign. Also, contesting more seats means we will win more seats. Then, naturally, the CM will be ours. If we give in to the BJP’s pressure, then it will break the Sena’s base in Maharashtra and a message will also go out that the Sena leadership is weak,” a Sena leader told Firstpost. The leader added that the party was ready to give more seats to four small alliance partners. State BJP leaders are unhappy with the Sena over the latter’s claim to the top post and also for criticizing the Modi wave. Though we know that the Sena won’t contest an equal number seats with us, we are insisting that it makes way for equal status in the saffron combine, say BJP leaders. Be as it may however, the coalition is in no danger of rupturing despite the back and forth exchanges. Both parties know that this is their best chance to grab power, and both know that they should not jeopardise it for the sake of a few seats here and there.