MUMBAI: With the state BJP adopting a tough stance against the Shiv Sena on the issue of power-sharing in the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), political uncertainty prevailed in the civic body which has thrown up a hung house.

On a day when Sena mouthpiece Saamna extended an olive branch to BJP, saying it would seek the co-operation of all in the KDMC (Sena is 9 short of a majority), state BJP president Raosaheb Danve told mediapersons that KDMC will have a BJP mayor, in a clear indication that his party was not willing to break bread with the Sena.

READ ALSO: Shiv Sena hints at truce with BJP after bitterly fought KDMC polls

Much depends on whether BJP is willing to sew up a new alliance in KDMC and if that is feasible, said a state BJP functionary.

Stating that BJP's strategy to go solo had paid rich dividends, Danve said the party's tally of seats in the KDMC has gone up five times. "We will solicit the views of our grassroots-level activists before deciding whether or not to go solo in the 2017 BMC elections," Danve said.

Later, Sena president Uddhav Thackeray too struck a strident note, saying BJP can "go its way" if it wants to. "The Sena too will follow its own path," he said.

Danve, however, said his party had no ill-will for the Sena. "All bitterness has vanished with the end of the poll campaign," he added. Danve said the KDMC-Kolhapur civic corporation will get a new mayor by November 11.

There were reports that both BJP and Sena were exploring new allies — separately, of course — in order to keep KDMC under their own belt. "But the crux of the matter is that no party has won enough seats to win the mayor's seat on its own," said the BJP functionary. "For all you know, this could be mere posturing and BJP-Sena will soon team up to establish their rule in KDMC," he added.

Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday dropped hints of a BJP-Sena rapprochement. "Kalyan and Dombivli voters have given a positive mandate to Sena-BJP. They want the two parties to function as allies."

Speculation was rife that BJP may, in an attempt to hike its strength, seek MNS' cooperation in KDMC. The MNS, which won nine seats in a 120-strong KDMC, may play a crucial role should Sena and BJP decide to go solo.

MNS leader Nitin Sardesai denied reports of his party becoming a BJP ally. "There haven't been overtures from any of the parties," he said and added that party president Raj Thackeray will take a final decision.

Meanwhile, the Sena continued its ding-dong battle against the Devendra Fadnavis ministry. Uddhav Thackeray, who presided over a conclave of party MLAs at Sena Bhavan, said the MLAs voiced concern over the "indifference" shown by the BJP-led state government to their urgent demands and developmental projects.

READ ALSO: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray calls BJP 'arrogant', threatens to withdraw support from Maharashtra government

"What is the use of being in power if our legislators' pro-people schemes are being ignored by those in power?" Thackeray asked, indicating again that Sena may rethink on whether to continue in the Fadnavis ministry, a threat which, said experts, Sena will not translate into reality as it doesn't want to give up power.

At the closed-door conclave, Sena MLAs told Thackeray that ministers belonging to their own party sat on files pertaining to welfare projects and schemes mooted by them. The Sena ministers contested the charge, and pointed out that BJP ministers, who had key portfolios, were not keen on expediting Sena's schemes.

Sena ministers met CM Fadnavis to express their displeasure over the steep rise in essential commodities on the eve of Diwali, Thackeray said. He further said he would meet the CM once a month to expedite the party's schemes and projects.

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