Seatsharing, a thorny issue for all three fronts

Mumbai, Jan 10 (UNI) Even as the three alliances are all set to contest the prestigious Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections scheduled to be held on February one, the seat-sharing has become a thorny issue for all of them.

Shiv Sena-BJP alliance, which is ruling the BMC and was the first to announce that there would be an alliance between the two parties, so far could not reach the final seat-sharing agreement due to minor conflicts.

Sources said the BJP was offered 72 seats while the Shiv Sena agreed to contest on 155. However, during a meeting held yesterday, the trouble erupted over the exchange of seats.

Shiv Sena spokesman Manohar Joshi told UNI that the meeting of the alliance took place at the residence of BJP leader Gopinath Munde yesterday which was attended by the state BJP president, general secretary Vinod Tawade and Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray.

He admitted that some minor problem had cropped over the seat-sharing but added that the alliance wontd be able to sort it out soon.

On the other hand, the talks which continued for nearly two weeks between the Congress and the NCP for-seat sharing seems to be reaching a final stage.

Mumbai regional Congress Committee president Gurudas Kamat said the NCP, which was adamant on its claim of 75 seats, had now relented to 65 with the Congress getting the lion's share of 162.

However, the final announcement to this effect is awaited as rounds of negotiations are still on. The sources said the NCP was staking claim for two seats in each Assembly segment and Mumbai had 43 Assembly segments. The NCP had four MLAs from Mumbai.

The third front, which comprises 22 parties, will reach the final settlement by January 12.

Republican Party of India (RPI-A) President Ramdas Athavale today said his front will be a major contender in the ensuing BMC elections.

He said the front planned to hold a big rally which will be attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, CPI(M) and CPI General Secretaries Prakash Karat and A B Bardhan.

''We are trying to rope in superstar Amitabh Bachchan in this rally'', Mr Athavale said. The Big B enjoys proximity with the Samajwadi Party and his wife Jaya Bachehan is the MP of the party.

''The date and venue of the rally will be decided soon'', he said.

UNI