After Athawale, Shetti meets Uddhav at ‘Matoshree’
Mumbai : After Ramdas Athawale, Raju Shetty also visited Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray at ‘Matoshree’ on Wednesday and asked him to end differences with BJP as soon as possible. A new formula for seat-sharing too said to have been emerging. Shetti also stated that BJP should stop “creating hurdles” in the finalisation of deal.
Venting the unease among the smaller partners of the opposition alliance ‘Mahayuti’, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna leader Raju Shetti asked Shiv Sena and BJP to finalise the seat-sharing agreement for Maharashtra Assembly polls at the earliest, on Wednesday.
RPI leader Ramdas Athawale, whose party is also a member of Sena-BJP-led Mahayuti, had yesterday appealed leaders of both the parties to reach agreement expeditiously.
“I met (Shiv Sena chief) Uddhav Thackeray today and asked for 13 seats (for SSS). People have high expectations from Mahayuti. They should, therefore, sort out seat-sharing pact at the earliest and focus on campaigning now,” Shetti said after meeting Uddhav at his residence ‘Matoshree’ here.
Tension between Sena and BJP, the two major partners of Mahayuti, is rising over BJP’s demand of more seats this time.
Shetti said it was a pity that the two senior alliance partners had not yet concluded the talks.
“It has been sometime now since the EC declared polling dates. The situation has become difficult for the smaller alliance partners as the talks between the two parties still remain inconclusive. The alliance partners are eagerly awaiting final decision,” Shetti said.
He also said that BJP, which is demanding 135 seats this time, should stop creating hurdles.
“The BJP is trying to create hurdles by insisting on certain number of seats… BJP should stop creating hurdles and decide on the pact at the earliest,” he said.
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Sena suggests new formula?
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena is said to have suggested a new formula of seat sharing, it is being said by the sources close to developments. According to the new formula, the BJP will be given 10 more seats, a senior Sena leader said here on Wednesday. BJP would be asked to give these seats to the smaller allies, the leader said. BJP had earlier mooted a formula of 135 each for Sena-BJP and 18 for allies. But, Shiv Sena was not prepared to contest on anything less than 155. According to the new formula BJP would get 129 instead of 119 earlier and Shiv Sena will contest on 159 instead of 169 earlier. Both the allies will leave 10 seats each for the allies according to this new formula.
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