Despite the stiff opposition in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to have the Shiv Sena on board, it was Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who ensured the formation of the alliance and exchange of seats between the two parties.

According to BJP insiders, many of its ministers and state leaders including some from the Central leadership, were not keen to contest the 2019 assembly polls in an alliance with the Shiv Sena. "BJP was not keen to part with over 116 seats and Sena camp was not willing to any number below 128. With its success in Lok Sabha polls the BJP was confident of retaining power in Maharashtra even without the Sena on board. Hence, most of the BJP camp leaders were insisting on contesting polls without an alliance," a senior BJP functionary told mid-day.