* NCP wants CM post for half the term

Mumbai: It's Maha politics in Maharashtra what with both the rival alliances battling it out over seat-sharing. This is a make or break election for both the alliances.

The BJP-Shiv Sena combine, which is out of power for 15 years, seeks redemption in the coming assembly elections, while the Congress-NCP alliance is looking for way to retain power and help a Congress revival at the national level.
Hitches still remain in the BJP-Shiv Sena seat-sharing formula of 126-151.
Meanwhile, smaller partners of BJP-SS alliance, are unhappy at seven seats being offered to the junior partners of the alliance, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghtana (SSS), Republic Party of Indai, Revolutionary Socialist Party, Shiv Sangram want more seats than what is allowed to them.

However, this pact has forced the Congress, NCP hands. NCP has lost the bargaining chip of possible alliance of aligning with the BJP as the latter has already firmed up its association with the Shiv Sena. This could also hasten the Cong-NCP seat-sharing.

On its part, the NCP has warned Congress of contesting of its own if they get a satisfactory proposal by Wednesday afternoon. The NCP proposes 144 assebly seats out of 288 and CM post for half the term. A team of NCP leaders, Praful Patel, deputy CM Ajit Pawar and state party chief Sunil Tatkare has already demanded the same in yesterday's close door meeting.

It is aslo been leant that, Congress has already rejected the proposal calling it unacceptable. The Congress team of chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and state party president Manikrao Thakre said that they are ready to part with 124 assembly seats.
Hoped are being expressed that there would be a positive outcome by Wednesday afternoon. In any case, political pandits feel both the national parties will be king makers in the state.