'MVA will take along SP': Uddhav speaks to Akhilesh after party's demand for 12 seats

After Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav demanded that his party be given 12 seats in the MVA alliance, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray spoke to him late on Friday.

Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said Uddhav had a "positive conversation" and SP will be "taken along" in MVA. Akhilesh is currently touring Maharashtra to campaign for SP and its candidates. SP has two sitting MLAs in Maharashtra, Abu Asim Azmi from Mankhurd- Shivajinagar and Rais Shaikh from Bhiwandi (East).

Speaking in Dhule , Akhilesh said SP has declared candidates for five seats. "We have asked for 12 seats (as part of MVA). SP has shared details of seats where it has a strong presence," he said.

A day after announcing the candidate for the Malegaon Central constituency, Akhilesh on Saturday announced the candidature of Irshad Jahagirdar from Dhule City assembly constituency as well.

SP functionaries said the party has asked for more seats in Mumbai, MMR and Dhule, among other regions.