BJP’s ‘second act of use & throw’: Shiv Sena won’t blink on power sharing

At the meeting of the Sena’s MLAs, party chief Uddhav expressed ‘disappointment’ over CM Fadnavis’ statement

With ally Shiv Sena unwilling to blink, Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday held a meeting with eight of the 13 newly elected Independents and legislators of three of the smaller parties. The majority mark still eludes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by 26 legislators in a House of 288, despite these 13 MLAs vowing support to a Fadnavis-led BJP government.

The next Maharashtra Assembly needs to be convened by November 10. The term of the previous Assembly expires on November 9. The Shiv Sena rejected media reports that it has softened its stand on its two key demands of ‘50:50’ power-sharing formula and rotational CM tenure. It accused the BJP of enacting a ‘second act’ of the ‘use and throw’ policy in dealing with its ally.

“The (reports that) Sena has softened (its stand), has compromised and relinquished equitable distribution of posts, are all rumours,” Sena MP Sanjay Raut tweeted. “Whatever was decided (between BJP and Sena), will happen,” said Raut. Raut later in the day also meet Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar at the latter’s residence in Mumbai. Raut said he had gone to meet Pawar to wish him on the occasion of Diwali, but also discussed the current political scenario of Maharashtra.

The developments during the course of the day made it evident that a Fadnavis-led BJP government is set to face stiff opposition not just from the Congress and NCP, but also from the Sena..