 "Shiv Sena not in hurry to join Fadnavis-led govt")
Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray broke his silence on Sunday and declared that the party was in no hurry to join the new BJP government led by Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra.
On Sunday, after a visit to the temple of Goddess Mahalaxmi in Kolhapur, Uddhav said Shiv Sena, with 63 legislators in the state Assembly, would decide its future course of action — whether or not to support the government or in the opposition — in next two days.
The Sena chief made his party's position clear after taking darshan of Goddess Mahalaxmi in Kolhapur.
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This is Uddhav’s first statement after Fadnavis, BJP president Amit Shah, and general secretary O P Mathur revealed that the BJP was currently involved in talks with Shiv Sena over its support to the government and induction of their members in the council of ministers.
Shiv Sena is divided over joining the government due to alleged humiliation from the BJP. A section of the party has been insisting that it should work as a vigilant opposition while others are quite keen to enter the government, fearing that the BJP might snap its ties in civic and local bodies.
Shiv Sena MP Anil Desai is holding series of meetings with union finance minister Arun Jaitley for the revival of alliance between the two which broke on September 25 due to lack of agreement over the seat sharing.
After weeks of will they-won't they, Fadnavis today expressed confidence that estranged ally Shiv Sena will join the BJP government headed by him in the state. "I am confident that the BJP will form an alliance with the Shiv Sena," he said. He added that talks with Shiv Sena are progressing well.
However, Fadnavis also clarified that the state Cabinet will not be expanded till floor test is complete. The chief minister is expected to move a one line confidence motion on the concluding day of the three day assembly session on November 12. He has been given fifteen days time by the state Governor C Vidyasagar Rao after staking claim for the formation of government on October 28.
Shiv Sena has already stepped up pressure on its former ally BJP to decide on the power sharing before the floor test. The BJP's strength in the 288-member Assembly is 121, but it has already received support from 14 members who are independents and also belonging to smaller parties. The Nationalist Congress Party with 41 MLAs has also declared unconditional outside support to the BJP. NCP will support confidence motion on the floor of house.