Next 24 hours crucial for Shiv Sena-BJP: Sanjay Raut

Mumbai: As uneasiness grew in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena over a seat-sharing arrangement for the next month’s assembly polls, Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday said a formula was almost worked out between them, and that the “next 24 hours” are “crucial” for the alliance.

Earlier in the day, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said the official announcement on seat-sharing deal will be made at the “right time”.

When pressed for his reaction on the status of the seat-sharing deal, the chief minister said, “I am also equally concerned about the formation of the alliance with the Sena. However, official announcement will me made at the right time”.

Mr Raut told a regional news channel that the next 24 hours are crucial for the alliance between the BJP and his party.

“A seat-sharing formula has almost been wor-ked out. It is in the final stage. Sena is known for keeping its word. When Lok Sabha elections we-re scheduled, there was some arrangement finalised for seat-sharing,” he said.

Amid reports that the Sena might have to make a climb down on the number of seats it had initially demanded to contest, its leaders have been maintaining the arrangement will be made as per an understanding reached among party chief Uddhav Thackeray, Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah and Fadnavis earlier this year.