BJP open to post-poll alliance with Sena: Maharashtra leader

NEW DELHI: The BJP is not averse to a post- poll alliance with the Shiv Sena if either them fall short of majority in the municipal corporations of Maharashtra.

Claiming that after initial assessment it was found that the BJP would make inroads into several civic bodies, a senior state party leader said, in some municipal corporations, the BJP may fall short of the majority while in some, the Shiv Sena may need its support.

“If the Shiv Sena manages to get maximum number seats in Mumbai (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation), but falls short of majority, it will need our support. They could also need our support in Thane Municipal Corporation.

“In turn, we might need their support in Amravati and other civic bodies, just in case, if we fall short of numbers,” he said.

The civic polls saw a highpitch vitriolic battle between the Shiv Sena and the BJP, as both had gone solo in the elections. The Shiv Sena is a part of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre as well the Devendra Fadnavis-led dispensation in Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had even threatened to withdraw support from the Fadnavis government.

In what could be termed as a run-up to the state polls, civic bodies of Thane, Ulhasnagar, Pune, Pimpri-chinchwad, Solapur, Nashik, Akola, Amravati and Nagpur went to polls yesterday.

Zilla Parishad elections were held in Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Nashik, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Kolhapur, Amravati and Gadchiroli.

Counting of votes will be held on Thursday.

However, the attention will be on the cash-rich BMC, which was being ruled by the SENA-BJP.