Putting to rest all speculations about whether Shiv Sena will continue as NDA ally or not, BJP and Shiv Sena announced today that they will be contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections together.
In a joint press conference addressed by BJP president Amit Shah, Shiv Sena chief Udhav Thackrey and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, it was announced that the three-decades-old alliance between the two parties will continue for the time being.
In the Lok Sabha elections, BJP will contest in 25 seats, while Shiv Sena will contest 23 seats. Maharashtra sends 48 MPs to Lok Sabha. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP had won 23 seats, while Shiv Sena had won 18 seats.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis: Shiv Sena will fight on 23 seats and BJP will fight on 25 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections pic.twitter.com/aZnl5melXn
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2019
It was also announced that both the parties will contest an equal number of seats in the Assembly election. The Maharashtra Election will take place later this year, as the last election was held in October 2014.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray: State assembly elections are also in four months, seats are divided equally for it. Responsibilities will also be divided in half. https://t.co/36blKrkY5i
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2019
In 2014, BJP and Shiv Sena had contested the assembly election separately, following disagreements over seat sharing. BJP had won 122 seats in the 288 member house, emerging as the largest party but falling short of the majority, while Shiv Sena had won only 63 seats. Later both the parties came together to form an alliance government in the state, led by BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis.
Talking to reporters, Amit Shah said he is confident that BJP and Shiv Sena will together win 45 out of total 48 seats in Maharashtra. Uddhav Thackeray said that people are seeing Shiv Sena and BJP together for 30 years, out of which for 25 years both stood united while there was confusing in the rest 5 years. CM Fadnavis said that they have taken this decision in the interest of the nation, and the alliance leaders believe NDA will come to power in 2019.
