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Shiv Sena, a key ally of BJP in the NDA government skipped today's swearing in ceremony function. On top of it, Sena MP Anil Desai, who was tipped to be getting a ministerial berth, did not take oath following BJP's refusal to give an oral or written assurance to Shiv Sena on induction of at least 12 of its legislators in the Maharashtra cabinet.
Desai, who had landed at Delhi airport to go to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, was called back by party president Uddhav Thackeray after the latter was denied a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Besides, BJP also rejected Shiv Sena's demand for giving an assurance that it will not accept an outside support announced by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis led government which is short of 22 votes to half way mark in the 288 member state assembly.
Sena's decision to boycott swearing in comes ahead of party's crucial meeting slated for 4 pm today in Mumbai to elect legislature party leader and also take a call on whether or not to support BJP government in the state or sit as an opposition in the state assembly. Shiv Sena has 63 members in the state assembly.
Shiv Sena insiders said that party's lone minister Anant Gite may soon resign from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Union Cabinet. Further, Shiv Sena may also walk out of the NDA. However, Sena leader said the final decision in this regard will be taken by the party president Uddhav Thackeray.
Shiv Sena MP Ananded Adsul told Business Standard, "It is Shiv Sena's insult by BJP. Uddhav asked Desai to return to Mumbai as there was no assurance from BJP on giving ministerial berths to Shiv Sena in the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis led council of ministers in Maharashtra."
He alleged that BJP was rubbing salt to Shiv Sena's wounds by merely announcing that talks were in progress taking Shiv Sena's support to the Maharashtra government and also on the number of Sena legislators to be inducted in the council of ministers in Maharashtra. ''But there has not been any decision so far,'' he added.
Adsul said it was also quite objectionable that BJP wanted former minister and former Shiv Sena MP Suresh Prabhu to be inducted as Sena's candidate. ''However, during last 10 years Prabhu has not been associated with the functioning of Shiv Sena and the party was totally opposed to BJP's proposal. Still BJP went ahead and inducted Prabhu," he informed.
Adsul alleged that BJP was bent on scoring brownie points and thereby making all efforts to further humiliate Shiv Sena. ''They should remember that Shiv Sena had been BJP's ally for 25 years. Shiv Sena also worked quite hard for the success of BJP led NDA in the Lok Sabha election," he added.
