MUMBAI: In the 99 seats for which BJP announced candidates on Sunday, the party took 5 seats that were contested by the undivided Shiv Sena in 2019. Political observers said this indicates that the CM Eknath Shinde-led Sena may have to compromise on seats and give up several of the seats that the Sena traditionally contested. The Nalasopara, Uran, Dhule city, Achalpur and Deoli seats were contested by Sena in 2019, but BJP has announced candidates there.
In Dhule city, BJP announced the candidature of Anup Agarwal. In 2019, the Sena’s Hilal Mali contested the seat but came fourth in the contest; the AIMIM’s Shah Faruk Anwar won the seat. In Deoli, the Sena’s Sameer Deshmukh contested but came third. BJP announced the name of Rajesh Banke from this seat. In 2019, Banke had contested as an independent and come second. In Achalpur, the Sena’s Sunita Phiske contested, but she came third; Prahar Party’s Bachchu Kadu won this seat. BJP has now named Pravin Tayade from this seat.
In Nalasopara, in 2019, former cop Pradeep Sharma contested from Shiv Sena; he lost to the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi’s (BVA) Kshitij Thakur. BJP has named Rajan Naik from this seat. From Uran, independent candidate Manohar Baldi defeated Sena’s Manohar Bhoir. Baldi then extended support to BJP, and BJP has now named him as its official candidate.
Even though BJP released a list of 99 seats, the Shinde Sena presented a case for getting around 100-105 seats before Union home minister Amit Shah. Eventually, Sena may get around 80-90 seats, and NCP led by Ajit Pawar may get 50-60 seats. While BJP is not too keen on giving a big chunk to NCP, political observers said NCP will not agree to anything fewer than 50-60 seats.
Political observers said that in Mahayuti, a tussle is expected as the demands made by allies are more than what BJP can actually concede.