Mood in BJP rank-and-file against tie-up with Sena for civic polls

Even as BJP attempts to convince its estranged ally Shiv Sena to join the government, there is pressure from the rank-and-file of the ruling party not to commit itself to any alliance with the latter for the forthcoming municipal corporation and zilla parishad elections across Maharashtra, which will begin in March next year.
The matter was discussed at length at a BJP meeting after which party sources said the mood in the party was that it should not cede political space it has gained to the Shiv Sena and that any alliance should be “need-based”.
“After the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections this year, the political equations have drastically changed. The BJP is not only the number one party in the state, but it is also expected to do much better in the polls for civic bodies. Now, will the Shiv Sena accept BJP’s political growth?” a senior BJP functionary said.
At present, BJP has a strong presence in the BMC and several local bodies and zilla parishads across Nagpur, Bhandara, Pune Navi Mumbai, among others.
The development comes a day after BJP leader and Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called on Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray and held two-hour long meeting during which they discussed the power-sharing proposal.
Both sides are still working on the proposals. “Although we have not reached a final conclusion, the talks between Sena and BJP are still going on. I would like to reiterate that BJP wants Sena to join the government in Maharashtra,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Saturday.
A Sena leader said, “The BJP has offered us one-third representation in the government with 10 berths. We have insisted for deputy chief minister’s post and home minister’s portfolio.”