Hopes still alive for an alliance between Shiv Sena-BJP

Mumbai: A Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls could still happen if both parties agree on allotting 90 to 95 seats to BJP. Though workers of both the parties are in the mood to go it alone in the polls, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is insisting they should go with Sena. The CM travelled to Delhi to meet senior BJP leaders Tuesday evening to finalise their decision about the alliance.

Sources in the BJP said Mr Fadnavis is very keen on forging an alliance with Sena. “It has remained the CM’s stand that the alliance should take place between the two parties for the BMC polls. He even initiated the process by giving a speech in BJP’s state meet earlier this month. He is trying his best to forge the alliance. But the seats offered in the first round (of talks) are too low. We are hoping seats between 90 to 95 at least,” sources close to the development said.

The state police intelligence unit has also gathered information that an alliance is likely to take place between Sena and BJP. Sources in the intelligence said BJP would get around 90 seats. The main reason BJP desires an electoral tie-up with Sena is that the former does not have grass root-level network like its alliance partner. “We agree the BJP has no network at grass root level. But the atmosphere is favourable for us at present. If we come together then our strength will increase,” another source from BJP said.

BJP had contested in 63 seats in the last BMC polls in 2012 and won in 32. This time, BJP is hoping that its tally will double after its successes in the 2014 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.