PUNE: As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) kicked off the election campaign in Pune on Monday in the presence of its executive working president JP Nadda and upbeat party workers, local Shiv Sena leaders are in a dilemma whether to contest polls in Pune or not. These leaders are awaiting a signal from Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray.
CM Devendra Fadnavis Uddhav Thackeray have announced that there would be an alliance but they have not declared the seat-sharing formula yet.
However, the BJP has already started election campaign in western Maharashtra.
While speaking with Sakal Times, Shiv Sena western Maharashtra campaign head Bala Kadam said, “Before the announcement of seats, we cannot start the poll campaign.”
“We are hoping that both the party leaders announce the seat sharing formula soon. In Pune, we don’t know how many seats we are getting. So, it would preposterous to start the campaign. However, we have completed all necessary election-related work and fixed responsibilities of the leaders and party workers. The party has appointed new office-bearers and assigned work related to Pune elections,” Kadam added.
PUNE CANTONMENT OR SHIVAJINAGAR
Senior Shiv Sena leaders said, “After the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has become so confident that they don’t need an alliance with Shiv Sena. However, we have learnt that the BJP is ready to give us a couple of seats in Pune. But we don’t want to share a constituency where BJP is strong such as Kasba, Kothrud and Parvati. BJP also doesn’t want to give up the seats where there are chances of our party’s win such as Vadgaon Sheri and Hadapsar. Now, there are only three seats left which are Khadakwasla, Shivajinagar and Pune Cantonment.”
“If BJP is ready to give two seats, it will be Shivajinagar and Khadakwasla. If they give one seat, it will be Pune Cantonment. However, we are concentrating on Shivajinagar and Pune Cantonment right now,” the leaders added.
