The BJP is keen to contest a number of seats than the Shiv Sena in the Maharashtra assembly elections in the view of the “changed” political scenario in the state, BJP sources said on Monday, expressing confidence that such a deal would be worked out.

The reports have after Shiv Sena and BJP leaders, earlier this month, held their first round of talks on seat-sharing primarily focusing on possible seats that could be allotted to their allies for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has informed that an official announcement of his party’s alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party for the upcoming assembly polls in Maharashtra would be made in the next two days.

However, he made it clear that the formula for sharing of seats between his party and the BJP will be finalised after detailed deliberations.

“Certain things are being worked out. The official announcement of the BJP and the Sena contesting the elections jointly will be made in the next couple of days,” Thackeray told media.

According to reports, Shiv Sena and BJP could contest on 270 of 288 seats while leaving 18 for smaller alliance partners. But Sena wants the BJP to follow 50:50 formula for 270 seats, which means both parties, may contest on 135 seats each.

Maharashtra will go to polls later this year. In the last assembly elections, Shiv Sena and BJP had contested the polls separately. The saffron party emerged as the single largest party by winning 122 of 260 seats it contested. The Shiv Sena could win just 63 of 282 seats it contested. No party could cross the majority mark of 145 to form the government in 288-z

Recently, Maharashtra Chief Minister expressed confidence of BJP-Shiv Sena alliance coming back to power in the state.