Mahayuti: Smaller allies to decide their stance today

Mumbai: While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena continue to spar over the sharing of power, even smaller parties in their grand alliance now want their share in the power.

The four parties of the alliance – RPI, Rashtriya Samaj Paksh (RSP), Shiv Sangram and Rayat Krantikari Sanghatana (RKS) – will be meeting Thursday to decide their stand on the sharing of power.

The leaders of these parties will meet Thursday at the residence of RPI general secretary and minister Avinash Mahatekar to discuss their participation in government and the distribution of power.

RPI chief Ramdas Athawale, RSP chief Mahadeo Jankar, Shiv Sangram chief Vinayak Mete and RKS chief Sadabhau Khot will attend the meeting.

Mr Athawale met state BJP chief Chandrakant Patil to discuss the share of power of smaller allies in government formation.

According to sources, there is discontent brewing among the smaller allies as bigger parties like the BJP and Sena continue to spar over government formation, leaving them very little of the power share. The leaders of these parties coming together is a tactic to put pressure on bigger allies.

Though the BJP emerged as the single largest party by winning 105 seats, it lost 17 seats compared to the 2014 tally.