Elections 2019: Did BJP offer Shiv Sena 50-50 seat share?

On one hand, where the chaos between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies – Janata Dal-United (JDU) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) – in Bihar has settled down, here in Maharashtra, speculations suggest that the clash between BJP and Shiv Sena has also been resolved. In the political circle, it is being said that both the parties have opted for 50-50 formula for seat share ahead of the upcoming polls. 

However, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has rubbished all these speculations and said that this is a mere rumour created by media. As per reports, these speculations were generated after BJP president Amit Shah, during his visit to Mumbai, met Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. 

It was being said that BJP has offered Shiv Sena 144 Lok Sabha seats and 24 seats for the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Rejecting the claims, Raut said that there has been no declaration of such sorts by any Shiv Sena leader or its editorial.

Raut further added that the decision regarding seat share will be taken only by Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and the party will follow the same. When asked about Shiv Sena’s eye on Chief Ministerial post, Raut said that there is nothing wrong in it. “We have also highlighted what we want.”

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Despite Raut’s rejection of the claims made in the political circle, one thing cannot be ignored that BJP has a “soft corner” for Shiv Sena.

Earlier in Delhi, during the BJP meeting, the high command of the party has asked the leaders to not speak against Shiv Sena anywhere. Further, it is also noticed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis mostly talks about forming an alliance with Shiv Sena in the upcoming polls.