MUMBAI: The 25-year-old grand alliance between BJP and Shiv Sena has collapsed because of adamant posturing. When BJP president Amit Shah cancelled his visit to Mumbai on Thursday morning, it was becoming clear the alliance was in trouble.
Shah was supposed to meet Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to iron out the difference over seat-sharing. Smaller parties have been making desperate attempts to persuade both Shiv Sena and BJP leadership to work out a compromise solution.
The sharp tussle between the allies has suddenly changed the political scenario with optimism brewing in the ruling Congress-Nationalist Congress Party camps over their prospects in next month’s elections.
An irritated Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP) chief Mahadeo Jankar told media persons that if the alliance collapsed, his party would contest a whopping 125 seats independently.
Similarly, the Swabhimani Sanghatana led by Raju Shetti is likely to contest on its own and according to preliminary reports, was looking at nominating 75 candidates.
September 27 is the deadline for filing of nominations for the Maharashtra Assembly polls, scheduled to be held on October 15. There are 288 seats in the state.
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