Shiv Sena minister Anant Geete to resign from union cabinet

Party's alliance with BJP in civic and local bodies to continue as of now

The Shiv Sena, in a bid to avoid criticism from rivals after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) snapped its 25-year-old alliance last week, on Monday announced that party’s lone Union minister Anant Geete will resign from the Narendra Modi-led Cabinet. Geete, who had earlier said he would not step down, will submit his resignation after Modi, who is on a visit to the US, returns. This was formally announced by Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray here on Monday.

However, chances of separation of two saffron parties in civic and local bodies in Maharashtra are remote. Shiv Sena and BJP are in power in India’s richest civic body, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), since the past 20 years. BMC, with an annual budget of over Rs 31,000 crore, has been a major source for contracts and thereby the parties could mobilise funds. This apart, the Shiv Sena and the BJP are also ruling Thane, Kalyan, Aurangabad and other municipal corporations. Similarly, they are controlling zilla parishads and other local bodies in parts of Vidarbha, Marathwada and north Maharashtra.

Uddhav indicated his party would not take any decision on severing its ties with BJP in the civic and local bodies as of now, citing the code of conduct for the Maharashtra Assembly polls are in place. Uddhav said he does not take decisions in haste.

A senior Shiv Sena leader who did not want to be named told Business Standard, ‘Shiv Sena’s alliance with the BJP in civic and local bodies will continue as there are technical constraints under the respective acts. The alliance is for, say, two-and-half-year or five-year terms. If the Shiv Sena has to break the alliance with BJP then its corporators and members of the local bodies will have to resign and face the elections. This seems impractical.’’

Furthermore, the Shiv Sena will have to file a fresh affidavit under the stipulated norms and Acts proposing its intention to break its alliance with the BJP. This also may not happen, the Shiv Sena leader said.

Another Shiv Sena leader said the party would discuss the issue after Assembly poll results are out.

The BJP has also not expressed its mind in this regard, as the party is gearing up for the Assembly poll campaign. A BJP state executive member opined that the party would have to snap ties with the Shiv Sena in civic and local bodies as well. ‘’However, the decision should come from the high command,’’ he said.