All eyes as Amit Shah set to meet Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray

BJP president Amit Shah seems to be on a mission of mending fences with disgruntled allies. This time it's with ally Shiv Sena since at stake are 48 Lok Sabha and 288 Assembly seats in Maharashtra. Shah is meeting Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday evening. The meeting is crucial since Sena has decided to go solo. The NDA allies are deserting BJP one after other as there is angst against the latter.

A BJP national executive member on the condition of anonymity said, "The Sena has been BJP's ally and the party wants the alliance to continue in future too. The BJP may consider having talks with the Sena to fight equal number of seats in Lok Sabha and State Assembly. During the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, BJP contested 24 seats and won 23 while the BJP fielded candidates in 20 seats and won 18 seats."

However, the alliance broke in the Assembly elections held the same year due to lack of understanding. "Our party president has already told us to prepare solo for the coming general elections. We have also finalised the names for most places. We are strong and fully prepared to fight all 48 seats in Maharashtra," said Ramdas Kadam, senior Sena leader and environment minister in the state government.

The Shah-Uddhav meeting is significant against the backdrop of BJP's drubbing in Karnataka and washout in bypolls. Even in the Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll, the party won against Sena by a thin margin of 29,572 votes. The twofold reason for this meeting is mainly to retain the NDA allies in the fold and to present a viable counter to rainbow coalition of opposition.

When contacted, Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut said, "Shah had sought an appointment to meet Thackeray and it was given. The BJP may have an agenda but the Sena has none. Several other national leaders have also requested for a meeting with the Sena chief to discuss emerging political developments. The party president will meet them too."

The BJP riding on the Modi wave won 122 seats after contesting 260 seats, while the Sena bagged 63 seats after fighting 282 seats during the 2014 assembly elections. This apart, BJP may offer one each cabinet minister and minister of state berth during the Modi cabinet expansion, which is expected to take place soon. Currently, the Sena has only one cabinet minister. "In order to keep the Sena in good humour, the BJP may consider offering the post of deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha," said a BJP leader.

On the issue of Hindutva, the BJP may reassure that the party will not dilute it as charged by the Sena.

However, the Sena seems wary of the BJP's anti-incumbency sentiment before the general elections.

"There is a huge public anger against the BJP on the ground. We do not want to be made responsible for their misgovernance. The visit of Shah to Matoshree shows their desperation for power," said a senior Sena leader.

Power Struggle

• Amit Shah will meet Uddhav Thackeray at Matoshree today after four years
• Buzz is that BJP may agree to Sena contesting equal number of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assembly polls