BJP indicates it won't initiate government formation talks with Sena

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah will take a final decision on who will be the chief minister, seemingly a choice between Nitin Gadkari and Devendra Fadnavis

State leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) indicate an aggressive stand on its former ally, the Shiv Sena.

They say it is for the Sena, given the two parties altered positions after the declaration of results, to take an initiative on reviving ties or to offer support on formation of a government in Maharashtra. Else, they say, they are prepared to run a government with the support of independents and outside support, as already offered, from the Nationalist Congress Party.

The leaders met on the eve of the visit of the central party emissaries, Union home minister Rajnath Singh and national general secretary J P Nadda.

Their newly elected MLAs will meet either on Monday or Tuesday and make a formal request to the state governor, Vidyasagar Rao, to be asked to form the government. Party leaders say a swearing-in ceremony is likely on Thursday or, else, the following week.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah will take a final decision on who is the choice as chief minister, seemingly a choice between Nitin Gadkari and Devendra Fadnavis.  

A party senior, member of its core committee, told Business Standard: “BJP is clear that it will not go out of the way to meet Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray and make any proposal. If Uddhav thinks it fit, he can take the lead or depute representatives to hold talks for formation of a government. The party is amused to read news with regard to ministerial berths offered to the Sena. There is no truth in it, as no formal discussion has taken place between the two parties.”

He said the BJP with 123 legislators (In a 288-member legislature) already has support from 11 independents. This is apart from NCP's decision to support from outside.

''We are confident that a BJP-led government will be in a position to prove its majority on the floor of the House, without direct or unconditional support of the Shiv Sena,'' the party leader said.

On the other hand, Anant Geete, the central minister from the Shiv Sena, told Business Standard: “As on date, there are no talks either underway or being proposed between BJP and Shiv Sena. There is no proposal from either side for formation of a government.”

He confirmed that he and other Sena MPs would be attending the coming dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.

Another Sena senior said pressure was mounting from a section of the party to be ready to perform as an active Opposition in the state Assembly.