Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar have rejected the formula of contesting 30 seats from the BJP, 13 from the Shiv Sena and five from the Nationalist Party for the Lok Sabha elections from the Grand Alliance and have insisted that they should get more seats. Shinde has also opposed the inclusion of MNS in the Grand Alliance. On the other hand, with the BJP claiming the Thane seat, the seat-sharing horses have moved forward.
The Grand Alliance is still tussling over the issue of who and how many seats to contest. The formula of leaving 29 or 30 seats to BJP, 13 to 14 seats to Shinde group and five seats to Ajit Pawar group was discussed. However, it has been opposed by both allies. Although Sunil Tatkare of NCP (Ajit Pawar group) is the only MP, NCP has claimed Baramati, Shirur, Satara, Dharashiv and Parbhani seats, while Shiv Sena (Shinde group) has 13 MPs and wants at least two-three more seats. The inclusion of MNS in the Grand Alliance has also worsened the equations.
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Raj Thackeray has demanded three seats namely South Mumbai, Shirdi and Nashik. Out of these there are Shinde group MPs in Shirdi and Nashik. BJP is planning to contest 30-31 seats by giving south Mumbai or other seats if MNS joins the grand alliance. However, it is understood that Shinde has objection to the inclusion of Raj Thackeray in the grand alliance. Shinde has brought this matter to the ears of BJP leaders.
The grand alliance leaders are likely to go to New Delhi again in two-three days to finalise the seat allocation, decide on the MNS and decide the BJP candidates for the remaining seats. It is likely that after the announcement of the candidates of the Maha Vikas Aghadi in some seats, the candidates of the Maha Yuti will be decided.
Thane demand from BJP
* There is still no agreement on Thane constituency which is the stronghold of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
* If Thane, Kalyan, Palghar, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg are left to Shiv Sena Shinde group and Raigad seat to NCP's Ajit Pawar group, BJP gets only Bhiwandi seat in Konkan except Mumbai.
* Shinde group does not have an effective candidate in Thane. BJP's position is that due to this, proper coordination will be achieved between the three parties in Konkan leaving Thane seat to BJP.
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