Apolitical controversy broke out on Saturday after state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankulesaid that the seat-sharing formula between BJP and the CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena for the 2024 assembly polls had been fixed and BJP would fight around 240 seats and Sena 48. The state assembly has 288 seats in all.
Bawankule made the statement at a meeting of BJP office-bearers late on Friday but on Saturday claimed that the seat-sharing formula wasn’t finalized. He claimed his speech had been misinterpreted.
Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad claimed Sena will fight at least 130-140 seats. “As Shiv Sena, we are going to contest at least 130 to 140 seats. Since that party (BJP) is bigger than us, surely BJP will fight more seats. But weas Shiv Sena will not contest less than 125 seats. Party leaders should censure him (Bawankule) for making such statements,” Gaikwad said.
Gaikwad added, “I want to tell him (Bawankule) this is not the Shinde faction but the Shiv Sena founded by Balasaheb Thackeray. This alliance of BJP-Shiv Sena has been made by Balasaheb. Our alliance is with PM Modi, home minister Amit Shah and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. The issue of alliance is with these leaders. If any other leader is making any announcement, his words have no meaning. ”
Bawankule said he had made the statement that BJP was planning to contest 240 seats in the upcoming assembly elections while guiding office-bearers of the party in terms of election preparedness so that they could be ready. On Saturday, Bawankule said his speech had not been shown entirely.