BMC polls: BJP seals alliance with 3 minor parties

Mumbai: After its alliance with Shiv Sena broke up, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday sealed a four-party alliance with its minor partners in the state for upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Council (BMC) elections. State BJP chief Raosaheb Danve along with Union minister of state and Republican Party of India (RPI) chief Ramdas Athawale announced the decision in Mumbai on Friday.

Besides BJP, the grand alliance will feature Mr Athavale’s (RPI), state Cabinet minister Mahadev Jankar’s Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP) and MLC Vinayak Mete’s Shiv Sangram. According to the seat-sharing agreement, BJP will contest in 192 seats. During the last election, BJP had contested 62 seats and won 31 seats. This time around, BJP will contest in almost three times more seats than what it did in 2012.

RPI will contest in 25 seats while RSP and Shiv Sangram will contest in six and four seats each. Though RPI is demanding eight to 10 seats more, and Shiv Sangram three to four more, indications are clear that these are the maximum numbers BJP can offer them.

BJP has promised the deputy mayor’s post to Mr Athavale’s party in case of winning. The party has also assured RPI membership on statutory committees like education, health and others. This deal was finalised after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mr Athawale met on Friday morning in Mumbai.