BJP-Sena's smaller allies seek 80 seats to contest in Maharashtra Assembly polls
While the Shiv Sena and BJP are locked in a tussle over seat-sharing for the Maharashtra Assembly polls, the BJP may have to walk the tightrope while contending with the demands of its smaller allies.
These smaller parties, which include Union minister of state and Dalit leader Ramdas Athavale's Republican Party of India (RPI-A), Vinayak Mete's Shiv Sangram, animal husbandry minister Mahadeo Jankar's Rashtriya Samaj Party (RSP) and minister of state Sadabhau Khot's Rayat Kranti Sanghatana, have together sought over 80 of the state's 288 Assembly seats.
Athavale told that his party was seeking to contest from at least 10 seats.
However, the BJP seems to be in a mood to set aside just 18 seats for these parties, who have their pockets of support as sub-regional and caste-based players.