Shiv Sena waits for BJP decision on alliance in KDMC polls

Even as there is no official word regarding the BJPShiv Sena alliance for the KDMC elections from any of the parties, signals sent out after the meeting of senior Sena leaders at Matoshree on Wednesday show that the chances of an alliance are bleak.

The Sena appears to be in a mood to wait and watch and make the BJP take the blame for going alone in the polls. Contrary to the mood of the state leadership, local BJP leaders are not in favour of the alliance. After both parties exchanged lists of wards they would like to contest, nothing much has transpired.

According to sources, while the BJP is pushing for around 70% seats for their candidates, the Shiv Sena has proposed to keep its 37 seats and asked for 60% of the remaining seats. Since both the parties are firm on their demand, the talks to chalk down seat-sharing formula have remained inconclusive. The BJP wants the seat sharing formula to be linked to the vote share during state assembly elections, the Sena is opposed to the suggestion.

Political observers say the Sena wants the alliance to keep its control over the corporation intact. However, the BJP, which had just nine members in the outgoing house, does not have much to lose in testing its own strength by going alone.

The BJP has an increased sense of strength because of its four MLAs and an MP from the region. The Sena has only one MP and one MLA from the district as a support mechanism if they decide to go solo in the polls. Why local leaders from both the parties might decide to go solo in the polls is to avoid more numbers of rebels, a senior leader told FPJ.