The Maharashtra BJP has decided to make one last ditch effort to save its alliance with the Shiv Sena. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai on Friday, senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said that the Party's Core Committee has decided that the 25 year old BJP – Shiv Sena alliance should remain intact and contest the October 15 assembly polls jointly with a focus on creating a Congress free state.

Mr. Mungantiwar said that the BJP core committee has decided to prepare a fresh proposal to the Shiv Sena regarding the seat sharing issue. He said that there are 59 seats that the Sena has never won in the last 25 years and hence they should consider to offer these seats to the grand alliance rather than conceding them to the opposition. He said that the fresh seat sharing proposal will be made keeping in mind these points adding that the figure of 119 seats that the Sena is currently offering will not be accepted.

BJP reminded the Sena that the party has supported it for a variety of issues time and again. Mr. Mungantiwar said that while finalising the seat sharing formula, both the parties should maintain their self-respect and also keep in mind the hopes and aspirations that the people of Maharashtra expect from the BJP – Shiv Sena grand alliance.