Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Seat-sharing talks between BJP and Shiv Sena hits a hurdle

Seat-sharing talks between BJP and Shiv Sena has hit a hurdle, with chief minister Eknath Shinde's party taking exception to his deputy Devendra Fadnavis' remark that the Sena was in power due to BJP's magnanimity. Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat retorted that if Shinde had not rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray, BJP would have remained in Opposition.

"They do have 105 MLAs and because of that he became the chief minister. However, it is also true that if Eknath Shinde had not rebelled, the 105 MLAs would have remained in Opposition. They came to power because of Shinde," Shirsat said in Mumbai on Friday.

"One has to see from both angles: Because of Shinde, they are in power; because of them, Shinde is in power. We are in an alliance. If the government runs with the cooperation of the two parties, it will be good," Shirsat said.


Fadnavis had on Thursday said that BJP had 115 MLAs yet made Eknath Shinde the chief minister. Fadnavis' remark was in response to Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam's claim that BJP was trying to bully Sena and wanted to contest more Lok Sabha seats at its expense.

The friction between the two parties has come to the fore after BJP offered just 8 Lok Sabha seats to Sena. The deal would mean BJP contesting at least four seats represented by Shiv Sena MPs. Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party is also miffed that it has been offered just 3 seats. The leadership of the three parties are likely to meet in New Delhi to resolve seat-sharing issues.

Sanjay Shirsat validated Uddhav Thackeray's claim that BJP leader Amit Shah had 'gone back on his word' on sharing power for 2.5 years in the state. "Yes, it is true! There was an agreement on sharing power for 2.5 years each. BJP was to have its chief minister for the first 2.5 years and Shiv Sena for the second half.

However, Uddhav Thackeray joined hands with NCP and Congress as he was offered a five-year tenure," Shirsat said. His comment, though not charitable to Thackeray, is significant as BJP leadership, including Amit Shah, have denied that there was a such a deal.