Maharashtra assembly polls: BJP gives fresh proposal to Shiv Sena, demands 130 seats

After Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray proposed a 'final formula' on Sunday to end the deadlock over seat-sharing, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday gave a fresh proposal to the Sena demanding 130 seats in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections.

BJP in charge in Maharashtra, Rajiv Pratap Rudy said, "We have given a proposal of 130 seats to the Sena and have asked for those seats that the Sena has not won in the last 25 years."

Mentioning that the proposal made is very liberal, Rudy said, "The Sena can select and give us the seats that they think are the worst, but we want the 'numbers'. The BJP is keen to go ahead with the alliance with the Sena." 

Although the BJP has put forth this new proposal, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had at the executive meet on Sunday, given a 'final formula', saying that no more seats would be increased for the BJP.

Also read: Alliance partners unhappy with BJP-Sena row; want immediate decision on seat sharing'

Thackeray had said, "We are making a 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 the BJP quota intact".  

Also read: Ahead of Maharashtra assembly polls, NCP minister Sanjay Savkare and MLA Kisan Kathore join BJP

Meanwhile, State BJP president Devendra Fadnavis said, "I have spoken to Uddhav Thackerayji and now they have to take a decision. We want the alliance to remain intact. The doors are open for discussion."

According to reports, Shah has urged Thackeray to reconsider the 'final' seat sharing proposal to keep the alliance intact.

During Sunday's executive meet, Thackeray had also mentioned "The party workers have given me the 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".

Also read: Congress-NCP leaders to discuss seat sharing on Tuesday, NCP not ready to accept Congress proposal of 124 seats