MUMBAI: Signs of the strain in the saffron alliance seemed to have reduced on Wednesday with the BJP, which elected Devendra Fadnavis as its legislative party leader, deciding to offer the deputy chief ministers post to the Shiv Sena along with 13 ministerial berths.
Fadnavis asserted that his party would initiate talks with the Sena leadership on government formation “as early as possible” and Sena MP Sanjay Raut, in a climbdown of sorts, said it would be good if the BJP-Sena formed the next government in Maharashtra. Fadnavis told TOI that the new government, led by him, would be installed in a day or two.
“The BJP-Sena alliance has a clear majority. Besides the support of Independents, the alliance has secured the peoples mandate with 161 out of 288 seats. We are determined to honour that mandate. We do not think there will be any hurdle in providing a stable government,” he said.
“I am sure key issues will be resolved soon, so there is no delay in government formation,” he added. A BJP cabinet member said Fadnavis himself would talk to Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. The Sena is set to elect its legislative party leader on Thursday.
Sources said the BJP would send a proposal to the Sena stating that it would keep 26 ministerial posts for itself and give 13 to the ally. As TOI had reported on Wednesday, the BJP will keep key portfolios like revenue, finance, home and urban development.
Sena likely to get 18 Maha cabinet berths
Of the 13 ministerial berths offered to Sena, how many would be of cabinet rank and how many of the level of junior minister would be decided during negotiations, sources said, adding that the berths given to Sena might even go up to 18. A senior BJP leader said, “Last time, five cabinet berths and seven junior ministerial posts were given to Sena. This time the number of cabinet berths could go up.”
BJP leaders said Sena, too, should send across its proposal to BJP for deliberation, which it still hasnt. However, BJP leader Sudhir Mungatiwar said the partys list of ministeRead More – Source
