Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has sought to downplay the rift between the BJP and Shiv Sena, saying his party is ‘keen on’ joining hands with its junior partner for the upcoming Municipal Council and Corporation polls across the state.
"The BJP has made it clear that we are keen on joining hands with Shiv Sena for Municipal Council and Corporation polls," Fadnavis told a select group of scribes here last night.
Fadnavis said that the details of seat-sharing will have to be decided on voting pattern observed during Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
"This (voting pattern) will be used as a base for it (seat-sharing). The seat-sharing should also be respecting the facts and demands of party workers and leaders," he said.
BJP and Shiv Sena had snapped ties before the 2014 Assembly elections but came together to form government after the polls.
Fadnavis said, "Maharashtra unit president Raosaheb Danve and I will be holding the talks. They should talk to me regarding seat-sharing and negotiations."
The Maharashtra Election Commission has already announced dates for elections in Municipal Councils and other local governing bodies. Polls to Municipal Corporations of Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Pune, Pimpri Chinchwadi and Nagpur are slated to be held early next year.
