Combine for civic polls in 25 districts has come too late and is unlikely to work, as candidates already chosen by the parties may not accommodate alliance picks
A senior BJP leader said the alliance was announced only because CM Devendra Fadnavis and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray wanted it to happen at any cost
The BJP and Shiv Sena announced their alliance for civic polls across the state barely two days ago, but the cup of their combine is already simmering. It is unlikely to work for the polls in all 212 towns because the decision has come too late, and the candidates picked by the respective parties may not be willing to withdraw their nomination to accommodate alliance candidates.
The alliance is expected to create more issues between the two partners in the towns where nominations will be filed on Saturday. Both parties have already distributed AB forms (Forms to be submitted by political parties for sponsoring candidates as set up by them) and a letter of authenticity to their official candidates, said a BJP leader.
The candidates from either side, who are declared unofficial if they don’t withdraw from the field, will rebel, he said.
No clarity
What has confused party’s rank and file is that there is no clarity on a seat-sharing formula or the conditions that the partners will adhere to. Local leaders have been asked to approach state leadership in case of disputes.
However, the alliance process is expected to be hassle-free for the towns where voting is scheduled in the later stages.
The polling would be held in four stages between November 26 this year and January 8, 2017.
CM, Uddhav wanted alliance
Another senior BJP leader said the alliance was announced only because the top leadership—Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray — wanted it to happen at any cost.
Alliance for the larger and more important civic bodies such as Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik and Nagpur (there will be 12 such corporations) that will go to polls early next year, will be declared in December and early January.
A lot will depend on the outcome of the civic polls that will be held in 25 districts till January.
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