The newly elected MLAs of Bhartiya Janata Party in Maharashtra have gathered in Mumbai for the much-awaited legislative party meeting today which will elect its leader in the presence of Central observers Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and party general secretaries J P Nadda and Rajiv Pratap Rudy. The BJP MLAs will meet at party's state headquarters at Nariman Point and then proceed towards the Vidhan Bhavan where they will pay tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The BJP legislature party meeting will begin in the Vidhan Bhavan at 4 pm in presence of party's Rajnath Singh, J P Nadda and Rajiv Pratap Rudy. The election of the Legislature Party leader, who will be the Chief Minister, will mark a step towards formation of the government in the state. Rajiv Pratap Rudy informed that after the Legislature Party leader is elected, they will call on Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and stake claim to form government.
Seven independents and six MLAs from smaller parties are expected to support the BJP government during the floor test taking the total strength to 134 after the sudden death of BJP MLA from Nanded district rendered one seat vacant. This has made BJP 11 seats short of the simple majority mark in the house of 288.
Sources have also revealed that after Shiv Sena demanded certain portfolios in the new government and BJP not agreeing to it, BJP has put forth fresh per-conditions for Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena on the other hand has made it clear that it wants to join the BJP in government formation. senior Shiv Sena leader and party spokesperson Sanjay Raut said yesterday that the talks were still on. While the NCP which extended unconditional support to the BJP to form government in state, yesterday said it would abstain during floor test which will make it easier for the BJP win trust vote and form a stable government.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up with the Special Protection Group (SPG) and IB sleuths arriving in city in view of today’s meeting and the swearing -in ceremony of the new BJP-led government at Wankhede Stadium on Friday.
