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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has refused to give any assurance to its former ally, Shiv Sena, on the issue of a separate Vidarbha state and also on the creation of a deputy chief minister’s post and providing ministerial berths to about 10 Shiv Sena legislators in Maharashtra.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, after consulting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah, also dropped the hint that Cabinet expansion will take place only after winning the vote of confidence in the Assembly, slated for November 12. Fadnavis has also dumped the Shiv Sena’s demand for giving its legislators ministerial berths this week, signalling that he is not prepared to succumb to Sena’s pressure.
The Shiv Sena, with 63 legislators, insists the BJP not take its support for granted. It is expected to announce on November 8 whether to support the BJP government or work as a vigilant opposition in the 288-member Assembly.
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State Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar told Business Standard, “The government will sail through, as support is increasing.”
The BJP, with 121 legislators, has already received the support of 12 independents and smaller parties. The Nationalist Congress Party, with 41 legislators, has extended its unconditional support and has decided to vote in favour of the BJP government’s confidence motion.
Fadnavis, who hails from Nagpur in the underdeveloped Vidarbha region, has never hidden his support for the formation of a separate state. After taking over as the chief minister, during his maiden visit to his home town on Monday Fadnavis declared statehood would be given to Vidarbha at an appropriate time. He clarified that the BJP had always supported the call for smaller states.
The chief minister said the Centre would decide the timing for carving out a separate state of Vidarbha. Fadnavis said his party wants to do it amicably.
The Shiv Sena, in its mouthpiece Saamna, on Wednesday criticised Fadnavis saying the CM should ensure that Maharashtra remains united.
A BJP minister, who did not want to be named, said his party would not give any assurance, written or otherwise, to the Shiv Sena on the issue of Vidarbha statehood. “Now, the situation has changed after the election results. The Shiv Sena should understand that it no longer enjoys the position of giving something to the BJP and, therefore, should not go on putting conditions for its support or induction of its members in the state cabinet. Fadnavis had said the Shiv Sena would always be with us, floor test or no floor test,” the minister said.
