BJP hopeful of reaching mutual understanding with Shiv Sena

Amid speculations that the 25-year-old alliance between his party and the Shiv Sena is close to breakpoint over the seat-sharing row for the Maharashtra Assembly polls, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Monday expressed hope that both parties would continue to move ahead on the same path and a positive outcome will be reached shortly.

Rudy said that the BJP discussed the ongoing situation in Maharashtra in depth during yesterday's Central Election Committee meeting that was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other top leaders.

"During the meeting, Maharashtra was discussed in detail. The general consensus was that we want an understanding, we want the alliance to continue and it's a 25 year old strong alliance," Rudy told ANI here.

"We have made an appeal to the Shiv Sena for a mutual understanding. We are very hopeful that a positive outcome will be there shortly," he added.

The Shiv Sena and the BJP have been bickering over the sharing of seats for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.

The Shiv Sena yesterday made a final offer of 119 seats to the BJP and 18 seats to other smaller allies of grand alliance. As per the offer, the Shiv Sena will contest 151 seats.

September 27 is the deadline for filing of nominations for the Maharashtra Assembly polls, which is scheduled to be held on October 15. There are 288 seats in the state.