While preparations are in full swing for the grand swearing-in ceremony of BJP’s first government in Maharashtra; there is no end to the suspense over BJP’s alliance with the Shiv Sena.
BJP general secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy today said that it is unlikely that the Shiv Sena will be a part of the government as of now. In a tweet, Rudy, however clarified that talks with Shiv Sena are going on in an amicable way. Rudy maintained that BJP was looking forward to a decision in this regard soon.
In its reaction to this statement, Shiv Sena leader Vinayak Raut has said that the party will boycott the swearing-in ceremony if the BJP does not respectfully accepts its proposal for government formation. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai this evening, Raut said nobody from the Shiv Sena, including party chief Uddhav Thackeray will attend the ceremony if the BJP continues with its stiff stand. Raut also informed that the scheduled meeting of senior Shiv Sena leaders that was to take place this evening has been cancelled.
It is believed that Shiv Sena has sought 14 cabinet berths including 7 cabinet ministries for its support to the BJP led government. Shiv Sena is also very keen to have at least 2 of its ministers sworn-in tomorrow.
BJP government in Maharashtra led by Devendra Fadnavis and a mini cabinet will be sworn-in tomorrow at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in the august presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other political stalwarts, actors, artists and industrialists.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister-elect Devendra Fadnavis today met senior BJP leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi. He is in the city to invite top BJP leaders for the swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP government in the State.
Mr Fadnavis will also meet senior leader L K Advani, Home Minister Rajanth Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and party president Amit Shah and hand over invitations for the tomorrow’s event. Later in the evening, Mr Fadnavis will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is also expected to discuss formation of Cabinet with the top leaders.
