BJP, Shiv Sena finalise seat-sharing pact

, Mar 13 (PTI) BJP today said its alliance with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra has been finalised with both parties having reached an understanding in the seat-sharing arrangements.

"The BJP will contest on 26 seats while the Shiv Sena will contest on 22 seats in Maharashtra," senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde told reporters here.

Munde said Shiv Sena's demand for three seats, namely Kalyan, Yavatmal and South Mumbai, had been accepted by BJP. In return the Shiv Sena has given Bhiwandi, Jalgaon and Mumbai North-West to BJP. Post delimitation, there are some changes in the voters' profile in the North-West constituency.

When asked whether he will contest the forthcoming general elections, Munde said if the party decides then he would like to contest from Beed constituency in North Maharashtra.

The saffron party leader said both Shiv Sena and BJP would launch a joint election campaign in the state.

Earlier, there were talks of differences between BJP and Shiv Sena over seat-sharing in Maharashtra after the latter was reportedly discussing alternative arrangements with Sharad Pawar's NCP.