Mumbai, Dec 31 (NationPress) Following the announcement from the Republican Party of India (A) that it will participate independently in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the Shiv Sena(UBT) expressed its views on Wednesday, emphasizing that Union Minister of State Ramdas Athawale should have realized that there is "no ally the BJP has not betrayed".

This development marks a significant blow to the BJP-led coalition as Athawale declared on Tuesday that his party, the RPI(A), would contest the BMC elections alone, effectively breaking away from the Mahayuti alliance.

In response, Shiv Sena(UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey criticized the decision, stating, "Ramdas Athawale is a seasoned leader and a Union Minister. He must recognize the implications of his alliances. The BJP has a notorious reputation for betraying its allies."

Dubey added in a sarcastic tone, "In Ramdas Athawale's words, if the BJP isn’t providing them with tickets, then they should definitely target the BJP’s chances."

Athawale's decision followed allegations of "betrayal" regarding seat-sharing arrangements, as he presented a list of 39 candidates, signaling a definitive split just hours before the nomination deadline.

December 30 marked the final day for submitting nominations for the 227-member BMC elections set for January 15. The RPI(A) is contesting across various Mumbai districts, including North, North-Central, North-West, and North-East.

Despite promises and numerous discussions, the RPI(A) reportedly found itself waiting until the last minute for seat negotiations. Athawale asserted that the Mahayuti alliance failed to fulfill its commitments.

He previously stated that although Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had indicated that RPI(A) would receive seats from the BJP's allotment, this directive was never followed through.

Earlier, Mumbai BJP president Amit Satam revealed that the ruling Mahayuti partners, the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, would contest 137 and 90 seats, respectively, in the upcoming municipal elections.

Dubey remarked on this announcement, stating, "Eknath Shinde is allocated 90 seats now, whereas there was a time when his party, our true Shiv Sena, used to provide tickets to the BJP."

Moreover, another member of the Mahayuti, the NCP led by Ajit Pawar, is also set to contest the BMC elections independently.

The elections for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the vital Mumbai civic body, are scheduled for January 15, with the counting of votes taking place the following day.

In the previous 2017 BMC elections, the BJP made significant gains in the traditional stronghold of the Shiv Sena, winning 82 seats, just shy of the undivided Shiv Sena's total.

The Congress secured third place with 31 seats, while the undivided NCP and Raj Thackeray-led MNS were left with 9 and 7 seats, respectively.

The AIMIM won three seats in its first appearance, the Samajwadi Party obtained six seats, the Akhil Bhartiya Sena captured one seat, and Independents accounted for four seats.