Maharashtra polls: Western Maharashtra and Mumbai, the bone of contention between Shiv Sena and BJP

At the heart of the present dispute between Shiv Sena and BJP is the latter's insistence on more seats in the assembly elections, especially from western Maharashtra and Mumbai. BJP is eying a larger share of seats in the crucial western Maharashtra region, which accounts for 58 constituencies, and Mumbai (36). BJP claims its demand is "based on ground realities."

What does BJP want?
It aims to contest more seats than Sena. It only wants to swap seats where Sena lost in successive elections. According to a party survey, even if it contests alone, it would win 130-140 seats.
"In 2009, we contested just 19 seats in western Maharashtra. We want more this time as public mood favours us," a BJP leader said, adding that constituencies like Baramati and Tasgaon-Kavathe Mahankal, represented by deputy CM Ajit Pawar and home minister RR Patil, respectively, were among those being sought.

What about Mumbai?
BJP contested only 13 of Mumbai's 36 constituencies, and is now demanding Vile Parle, Mumbadevi, Dharavi, Wadala and Worli.
In Mumbai, Congress and NCP hold 17 and three seats, respectively, followed by MNS (6), BJP (5), Sena (4) and SP (1).

What does BJP bag on?
It credits saffron alliance's success in Mumbai, where it swept all six Lok Sabha seats, to the Modi wave.

What's the scene in sugar belt?
Barring Ahmednagar dist, which is part of Nashik revenue division, the sugar belt of western Maharashtra accounts for 58 seats and is a Congress-NCP stronghold. Home to Prithviraj Chavan, Ajit Pawar and several stalwarts, the region witnessed a massive political shake-up when Sena-BJP wrested Pune, Maval, Shirur, Sangli, Hatkanangale and Solapur Lok Sabha seats.

NCP won 20 seats here in 2009, followed by Congress (11). Independents affiliated to the two represent eight constituencies. Sena-BJP account for just nine and six seats, respectively, followed by one MLA each from PWP, Jana Surajya Shakti, Swabhimaani Paksha and MNS.

In the LS polls, heavyweights like Sushilkumar Shinde was trounced in Solapur, and NCP just scrapped through in Baramati apart from Madha and Kolhapur. The saving grace was the huge victory margin of royal family scion Udayanraje Bhosale from Satara.

What are the issues Oppn is aiming to cash on?
Pending and incomplete irrigation projects; co-operative sector being in disarray; commercialisation of educational institutions, etc.

What are the force multipliers?
Sena-BJP alliance with Hatkangale MP Raju Shetti, Dalit leader Ramdas Athavale and Dhangar leader Mahadeo Jankar, who gave Supriya Sule a scare in Baramati, may serve as force multipliers. Jankar lost by just around 70,000 votes.

How many seats are BJP willing to settle for?
130. "Though we are seeking 135 seats from Sena after leaving around 20 to our four allies, we are willing to settle for 130, BJP leader said.
BJP may also get Guhagar (Ratnagiri dist) which saw high drama in 2009 when leader of opposition Ramdas Kadam (Sena) contested from here neglecting claim of BJP MLA Dr Vinay Natu. Natu contested as an independent, leading to victory of NCP's Bhaskar Jadhav.