BJP has numbers to win trust vote: Eknath Khadse

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse said here on Wednesday that the BJP has the numbers to win the vote of confidence in the state assembly.

"We tried to ensure that the CM's selection be done without any opposition; that's why Devendra Fadnavis talked to everybody, but he didn't get the Shiv Sena's support. So, it's ok if they want to vote in opposition, then they can do it, it's their decision. We have the numbers and we will win the trust vote with good numbers," said Khadse

"The Shiv Sena and the BJP have fought separately in the Vidhan Sabha, we haven't fought in any alliance. The Shiv Sena's decision is their own and they have the right to decide because, they are in the opposition and we are in power," he added.

On the Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) offer of support to the BJP, Khadse said, "Neither have we ever asked for the NCP's support, nor have we ever visited them for the same. They have themselves supported us. So, if someone is ready to support us of their own wish, then, why should we deny or reject it."

He also claimed that the NCP's support won't tarnish the BJP's image, as they hadn't asked for it in the first place.

Earlier, Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam said his party will vote against the Fadnavis-led regime when he seeks a vote of confidence in the state assembly.

State Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao has already administered the oath of office to Jeeva Pandu Gavit as pro-tem Speaker of the state assembly at the Raj Bhavan here.

On the very first day, the Shiv Sena had given clear indications of its aggressive political stance with its newly elected MLAs criticizing Khadse outside the Vidhan Bhavan for his decision to permit the use of the Urdu language in Marathi-centric schools.

This session is considered to be crucial for Fadnavis, as the current picture about support being extended to his government from outside is still not clear.