As tension over seat-sharing with ally Shiv Sena continues, there seems to be a sharp division in the BJP’s top Maharashtra leadership on keeping the alliance.
Though the BJP has taken the public stance that it “wants to keep” the 25-year-old alliance going, there is talk of a ‘plan B’ if the Shiv Sena does not give the BJP a “respectable” share of seats.
If the deadlock is not resolved, “it’s natural, for both sides,” to put into action ‘plan B,’ Om Mathur, BJP-in-charge of Maharashtra polls, told
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In case talks fail, “time will tell” the next course of action, Mr. Mathur said, leaving open all options.
Considered close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Mathur, however, reiterated that the party “wants to continue the alliance”.
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“The Sena has not formally responded to our proposal. We are waiting for their response,” he said.
Maharashtra BJP split over parting ways with Sena
With Sept. 26, the last date for filing nominations for the Maharashtra Assembly elections nearing, the State BJP leaders are eagerly waiting for a direction from the central leadership.
The deadlock in the seat-sharing talks has triggered speculation that the parties could go their separate ways after being together for a quarter century.
The State BJP unit seems to be divided on the pros and cons of fighting without the Sena, with a section of leaders irritated by the long-time ally’s “stubborn” behaviour.
“The Sena is unnecessarily insisting on contesting more seats. We are only asking for a discussion on those 59 seats that it has never won. We want to keep the alliance but if we are kept at 119 you can consider the alliance as good as over. “It’s about self-respect after all,” said a senior leader.
The faction in favour of splitting believes that the party is equipped to go it alone despite the shortage of time.
“The party is ready. The development agenda of Mr. Modi is conducive for us to run alone,” said the leader.
He, however, admitted that going it alone at this moment would put the party at a “little disadvantage.”
However, the argument for running solo seems to be half-hearted. Though some leaders believe that the party missed an opportunity by not declaring to go solo after the Lok Sabha elections, they believe it is now “too late” for a breakup.
“For 25 years you do business, you can’t leave it at the last moment. It will send the wrong message to voters and prove detrimental for both sides,” said a senior leader. Clearly they do not want to cross the line as is evident from their restrained statements on the public challenge thrown by the Sena.