Shiv Sena today served an ultimatum to BJP to come clear on the issue of taking NCP support for the survival of its minority government in Maharashtra within two days, failing which it will sit in the opposition.
In the continuing war of nerves with BJP, the Sena ordered its Rajya Sabha member Anil Desai, who was to be sworn-in as a minister in the Union government today, to return to Mumbai over persisting differences between the two parties on power-sharing in the state, but stopped short of shutting the door on BJP completely.
"If we don't get a satisfactory answer (from BJP) in next two days, we will sit in the opposition," Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray told reporters at Sena Bhawan in Central Mumbai tonight, after a meeting of party legislators.
In an apparent reference to Hyderabad-based the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM), which won two seats in recently held Maharashtra Assembly polls, Uddhav said, "Forces which are dangerous for Hindus have raised their heads in recent Assembly polls."
"At such a time, if BJP wants to go with Sharad Pawar who spoke of saffron terror, we will sit in the opposition," he said, adding, "I am free to take my party's decision. I expect a response from BJP."
While Desai was recalled, Sena boycotted the first expansion of the Union government by Prime Minister Narendra Modi also apparently over its nominee being given the post of Minister of State and another leader Suresh Prabhu being inducted as Cabinet minister despite the party's unwillingness.
Prabhu, tipped to head the think-tank that will replace the Planning Commission, joined BJP before being sworn in as Cabinet Minister in the first expansion of the Narendra Modi government.
However, Uddhav kept up the suspense over continuance of its lone member in Union Cabinet, Anant Geete despite the stand-off with BJP. Geete continues in the Union Cabinet while the two parties share power in cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Though Sena had reportedly given up its demand for the post of Deputy Chief Minister, the two parties have failed to resolve their differences over the share Sena should get in the ministerial pie in Maharashtra and key portfolios.
"If there has to be an alliance (between Sena and BJP) it has to be on basis of principles. The matter of who will get what portfolios comes later," Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters after BJP legislature party meeting here tonight.
