Made Promise To Balasaheb That A Shiv Sainik Will Become Maharashtra CM: Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has dropped a major hint that may dent the progress of his party’s alliance with the ruling BJP for the upcoming Assembly elections. BJP and Shiv Sena has announced to fight the Assembly polls together. However, they are yet to reach consensus on seats distribution.

“I had promised Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb that a day will come when a Shiv Sainik will become the chief minister of Maharashtra,” said Thackeray.

He, however, said that talks were on with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP interim President Amit Shah regarding the seats sharing pact. He said there are some issues over few seats and expressed hope that they will be sorted out soon.

The BJP and the Sena are locked in hard bargaining for distribution of seats among themselves and smaller partners of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The BJP is said to be offering a maximum of 120 seats to the Shiv Sena.

Also Read | No Joint Press Conference Of Fadnavis, Thackeray On Tuesday As BJP-Sena Yet To Seal Poll Pact

On the other hand, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party is insisting on equal distribution of seats and sharing of the chief minister’s post for 2.5 years each between the saffron allies in the event of they retaining power.

Amid delay in seat-sharing pact with the BJP, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray has convened a key meeting on Saturday to discuss the party's preparations for the October 21 assembly polls in Maharashtra. Prominent Sena leaders, office-bearers and ticket aspirants attended the meeting in Mumbai.

Party sources said the Sena is making preparations to contest all the 288 assembly seats in case its alliance talks with the BJP collapse. The Sena meet comes in the background of BJP leaders from the state holding discussion with the central leadership on Thursday in New Delhi to assess poll preparedness for all the seats.

(With PTI Inputs)