 "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is presented a shawl by newly inducted minister Ramdas Athavale at a meeting in New Delhi")
In a snub that could have a debilitating impact on its already fragile alliance with Shiv Sena, BJP left its long-standing alliance partner out from today's expansion of Union council of ministers that saw two new inductions from Maharashtra.
Though Sena president Uddhav Thackeray tried to put on a brave face, saying he never indulged in "blackmail" with its senior alliance partner, Sena leader and party spokesperson Manisha Kayande said the party is "hurt" at the treatment meted out to it and took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "not finding any talented person in the Sena" for the job.
"I have never indulged in blackmailing. (I have never said) Give me this or else... Whatever is in the country's interest, I am with that," Thackeray told reporters at his residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra.
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"I congratulate all the ministers who were sworn in today. I wish them the best. I hope that all of them will be able to work freely and somewhere the administration will improve," he said.
Thackeray said Sena and Shiv Sainiks have never gone to someone's door as a hapless entity and will never do that. "We will have whatever is our right. We won't accept alms given by someone," he added.
Clarifying that Sena doesn't want to engage in any wrangling, Thackeray said, "You must have noticed that our Anant Geete (lone Sena minister in central government) was present at today's swearing in ceremony. I don't want to indulge in wrangling but at the same time, I won't be hapless before someone".
Asked about his expectation from BJP, Thackeray said, "(We) will discuss that among ourselves, rather than discussing it with you (media)."
"I have been saying from day one, that it depends on both the parties as to how the (bilateral) relations ought to be," Thackeray said when asked if everything was alright between the bickering allies.
On Sena ministers being left out in the expansion, he said, "I have always taken this stand that I won't go asking (for ministerial berths) to anyone."
Asked if Sena will participate in the ensuing state Cabinet expansion, the Sena chief said, "Let official talks be held with me first".
Though Thackeray appeared measured in his response, Kayande said the Sena will keep today's development in mind during the upcoming Mumbai city corporation and other local body polls across state.
"Modi ji has been saying he will hand-pick his ministers based on calibre and talent so that they can perform well. Did he not see any talented person in the Sena? We are hurt by today's expansion and will keep in mind the treatment meted out to us by our ally in numerous local body polls," she said.
Thackeray had yesterday said BJP's central leadership had not held any discussion with him on Cabinet expansion and that his party will not stand on anybody's doors seeking favours.
Kayande said, "The party's view has been that we would not go begging to BJP for any ministerial berths. If they give us berths honourably and as per our demands then fine. We had some specific demands which we asked for or else we did not want any berths from them."
Fuelling speculation over the prospects of alliance for crucial polls to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) slated for next year, she said Sena's base is getting stronger with people from other political outfits joining the party and "the result of which will show in the BMC and other local body polls".
Taking a jibe at BJP, she said, "Top BJP leadership, whenever there was an altercation between the Sena and BJP, said our problems are an internal matter, like it happens between members living in the same house. Today, they forgot their own house members and took us for granted".
The two inductees from Maharashtra in today's expansion are RPI(A) chief and Rajya Sabha MP Ramdas Athawale and noted doctor Subhash Bhmare who represents Dhule Lok Sabha seat in North Maharashtra from BJP.
In the major expansion of Council of Ministers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inducted 19 new faces, including several Dalit and OBC leaders from poll-bound states like UP.
Notwithstanding speculation over likely inclusion of Sena leader Anil Desai in Modi government, no Sena leader could make the cut.
Sena has sole representation in the central government in party MP Anant Geete who has been holding Heavy Industry portfolio.
Of late, Sena has sharpened its attack on BJP and the policies and approaches of the NDA regime, mostly through its official organ 'Saamana' and often in a mocking tone.
