PUNE, Dec. 31 -- With just two hours remaining before the nomination deadline, the alliance between the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena broke down in Pimpri-Chinchwad on Tuesday, paving way for a fragmented contest in civic polls. At around 12:30 pm, senior Shiv Sena leader and MP Shrirang Appa Barne announced that the party would contest the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections independently, after seat-sharing talks with the BJP fell apart. Barne revealed that in a key meeting with BJP MLA Shankar Jagtap, the Shiv Sena had proposed contesting 29 seats. However, the BJP lowered its offer, first to 16, then to 13, and ultimately to just 10 seats, leading to the alliance's breakdown. "A proposal that came down from 29 seats to 10 was unacceptable to the Shiv Sena. As a result, we decided to withdraw from the alliance," Barne said. There is also discussion in political circles that the BJP opposed the possible candidature of two members from Barne's family, which is believed to have further strained negotiations. "This election is essentially a workers' election. We wanted to do justice to our party workers, just as the BJP wants to do justice to theirs. Hence, we have decided to go solo," Barne said....