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Mahayuti faces seat-sharing woes ahead of Maharashtra assembly polls

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(L-R) File photo of Manohar Joshi, Vinod Tawde, Uddhav Thackeray, Ramdas Athawale and Rahul Shewale during a Mahayuti’s rally in Parel
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It is a problem of plenty. The Shiv Sena and BJP's jumbo six-party rainbow coalition is under pressure over seat-sharing for the coming Maharashtra assembly polls.

Miffed at what they claim is the big-brother attitude and inflexibility of the saffron allies, leaders of the Swabhimaani Paksha, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha and Shivasangram are flexing their muscles to assert themselves in the Mahayuti (grand alliance), which was forged before the Lok Sabha polls and swept an unprecedented 42 of 48 seats in the state. Rajya Sabha MP and Dalit leader Ramdas Athavale, who heads the Republican Party of India (A), is also part of the front.

BJP leaders admit that as compared to the Lok Sabha polls, where the allies had been given four seats (two for SP and one each for the RPI-A and RSP), striking an agreement for the assembly was tougher. A senior BJP leader, however, said despite the teething troubles, a seat-sharing pact between the six parties would soon be inked.

On Wednesday, Lok Sabha MP and farmer leader Raju Shetti, who heads the SP, which is the political arm of the Swabhimaani Shetkari Sanghatana, RSP chief and dhangar (shepherd) community leader Mahadeo Jankar and MLC Vinayak Mete of Shivasangram met in Pune to discuss the modalities of seat-sharing. The RPI (A), which was not part of the meeting, is hoping to cut a deal for 20 seats, including four in Mumbai.

"We met to ensure there is no clash or counter-claims on seats sought by each of us," said Sadabhau Khot of the SP. He admitted to unease at the Sena-BJP stance vis-à-vis seat-sharing and charged that a wrong impression was being created that they (allies) were being headstrong. "We have demanded 38 seats, this does not mean that we are insisting only on this number," said Khot, who lost the Lok Sabha election by just over 25,000 votes to former deputy chief minister Vijaysinh Mohite Patil (NCP) from Madha, adding that they were open to a negotiated settlement.

"We are, however, not willing to be dragged along. We have a base in farmers, while Jankar has an outreach in the OBCs," said Khot, warning the Sena and BJP that "seats are no ones monopoly". "We will not stand in somebody's door for too long. We can even seek (all) 288 seats," said Khot in a veiled threat.

"We are not seeking the position of the chief minister or the deputy chief minister. Neither are we insisting on seats won by the Sena and BJP or where they were number two. If they (Sena-BJP) do not agree to this, it means they do not want to take us along," warned Jankar, who lost by around 70,000 votes against NCP chief Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule from their family pocketborough of Baramati. He is seeking 40 seats, while Mete's front wants 12. He, however, added that they wanted to ensure a "Congress- and NCP-free Maharashtra" and were in favour of the Mahayuti staying intact.

In an attempt to position itself as the main anti-Congress and NCP force in Western Maharashtra, the SP is seeking the Baramati, Palus-Kadegaon, Tasgaon, Islampur, and Indapur seats, where powerful Congress and NCP ministers contest from. They are also seeking the South Karad seat from where chief minister Prithviraj Chavan may make his debut foray in the assembly polls. Not surprisingly, the Sena and BJP may not be eager to cede this space considering the symbolic nature of the fight, regardless of the ability to win.

"We have fought against them (Congress and NCP) on the streets for 15 years. They have looted the co-operation movement and pocketed money meant for irrigation and, thus, destroyed the rural areas. Our workers have spilled blood taking on them," said Khot, justifying the demand.

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