Mumbai, Apr 04 (Dna): Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) on Tuesday softened it's stand and supported Shiv Sena candidates to win the chairmanships for Education and Standing Committee.
For the truce treaty, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray did not meet Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar and the latter had to meet none other than Milind Narvekar, who is his personal assistant. BMC will now get Improvements Committee and BEST Committee. It has also been learnt that issue of ward councils, which was the bone of contention between both parties, were amicably shared.
On Monday, Shiv Sena filed the nominations for chairmanship of seven ward councils even as sharing of wards was pre-decided, not leaving much scope for the BJP.
Later, just before the 5.30 pm deadline, BJP candidates also filled the forms at four wards against Sena candidates leading to the controversy. Sources claimed that the differences started developing as Sena did not agree on giving chairmanship in K-East ward and R-Central and South ward committees.
"Since the last four years, Sena has held on to these committee which BJP wanted to swap with their existing wards. However, Sena was unwilling to accommodate which led to the conflict," said a source.
Earlier, there were speculations about the BJP's uncertain move. But all the speculations were put to rest after Shelar met Narvekar, who was given clear cut brief for the negotiations.
Yashodhar Phanse, was re-elected as chairman of Standing Committee with majority. Phanse defeated Congress candidate Sunil More. In Education Committee, Hemangi Worlikar won with majority defeating Congress candidate Dr Priyatama Sawant.
With this move of "kiss and make up" by the BJP, the imminent storm of political uncertainty between saffron alliance was cleared. The ward council elections will follow next week where both the parties have agreed to co-operate.