Maharashtra municipal corporation polls: BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena still in deadlock over 10 seats in Thane city | Mumbai News
Thane: A deadlock over nearly 10 seats in Thane city has apparently kept Mahayuti’s seat-sharing negotiations between BJP and Shiv Sena inconclusive till late Sunday evening, party insiders said. It is learnt that the BJP was offered 40 seats, a number that triggered discontent among party workers, who are demanding an additional 10 seats from various pockets of Thane city. The proposal has been forwarded to senior Mahayuti leaders, with a final decision expected late Sunday and an announcement on Monday, if resolved.Confirming the discussions, BJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar said the party was contesting as part of the alliance and was hopeful of securing more seats based on its electoral strength. “Talks are scheduled late Sunday and we expect to finalise the seat-sharing by Monday,” he said.Meanwhile, the alliance unease has spilled over to the ground level, with leaders from both parties wary of possible rebellion by workers. A section of BJP workers is reportedly considering supporting independent candidates to contest from an erstwhile Shiv Sena stronghold in one of the Majiwada–Manpada electoral wards. On Saturday, a large banner proclaiming Thane as a BJP bastion was also put up in deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde’s assembly constituency.Sena workers, on the other hand, have begun mobilising support in BJP-dominated areas such as Naupada and Vartak Nagar electoral wards. Party functionaries said the welfare initiatives started during Shinde’s tenure increased the popularity of the Sena in Thane and could easily translate into victory. Leaders said they were aware that disappointed aspirants from both sides could contest independently, risking vote division.Amid the Sena-BJP uncertainty, former NCP corporators Najeeb Mulla and Suhas Desai filed their nominations on Saturday. Sena MP Naresh Mhaske clarified the NCP earlier decided to go solo and was not part of the current alliance negotiations. Separately, the Maha Vikas Aghadi said it was also working on its seat-sharing formula and is likely to announce it by Monday.
