Deadlock continues: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray suggests 'final formula'; 151 seats for Sena and 119 for BJP
As the stand off between Sena-BJP continues over the seat sharing row, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday making a last attempt to keep alliance intact suggested a final formula to save the alliance.
Speaking at the executive meet of the Shiv Sena in Mumbai, Uddhav Thackeray said, "We are making last effort to save the alliance by sacrificing Sena's seats. I am proposing a new formula of 151 seats for Sena and 119 seats for BJP. Shiv Sena will allocate 18 seats from its own quota to four alliance partners including RPI, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna, Rashtriya Samaj Party and Shiv Sangram Sanghatna, and will keep BJP quota intact".
Uddhav Thackeray further added, "Seat distribution is a complicated affair. I am ready to sacrifice two-three seats for the sake of Maharashta. If we cede some seats to BJP, only one person will get justice. But if we come to power, everyone will get justice."
"The party workers have given me authority to take a decision and I will do it with responsibility. I don't want power to gain something, but to give something in return to the people of Maharashtra. I want to understand the pulse of Maharashtra. I want to know what they want, what they feel". he added.
Advising Sena leaders and workers not to criticise BJP Thackeray said, " This is not our culture. Differences were present even when Pramod Mahajan and Gopinath Munde were around. But at that time no one dragged on the issue. Whether the alliance continues to exist or not, I am ready to fight the battle."
Indirectly making a scathing attack on BJP, Thackeray said, " When BJP leaders suggested that Shiv Sena should contest 140 seats I replied saying "aap jagah lene vale ho, denewale nahi" (You are not the one offering seats to us, but taking it from us). Many ulterior motives are being exposed during election time. Gopinath Munde and I did not have a discussion over the alliance during Lok Sabha election, we were just determined to win."
Also read: What is behind Uddhav Thackeray's new-found aggression?
"We have to come back to power, the dream of Balasaheb Thackeray cannot be left unfullfilled. I don't just speak, I act on what I say. The upcoming Diwali festival in Maharashtra would be celebrated as 'Saffron' Diwali", he added.
Claiming that this is the only unique alliance in the world that has happened for the sake of the Hindutva philosophy," Uddhav Thackeray said, "It is unfortunate that instead of campaigning we are still discussing seat sharing. The idea behind alliance was not to be in power but to give a justice to people. If alliance breaks, it will hurt me. Our list of candidates is ready and declare it anytime."
He further said, "After Godhra riots, LK Advani had called on Balasaheb Thackeray to seek his advice after public demand to remove Narendra Modi. It was Balasaheb Thackeray, who stood by Modi and said he should not be removed as Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Making its stand clear on the support given to former President Pratibha Patil during her presidential election, he said, "we did not support Congress- NCP, we supported a woman from Maharashtra and we are proud of it."
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}