Amid CMship row, BJP & Shiv Sena to meet governor separately today

MUMBAI: A day after both the BJP and Shiv Sena hardened their stand over the claim to the chief minister’s post, both parties are making a beeline to Raj Bhavan. CM Devendra Fadnavis and senior Shiv Sena leader and transport minister Diwakar Raote will separately meet governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Monday.
“Although no agenda has been fixed, government formation will certainly be discussed. The CM may brief the governor on the current political situation, particularly the possibility of staking claim to form the next government. Raote too will present his party’s views, particularly the decision taken at the meeting of Shiv Sena legislators,’’ a senior BJP leader said.
On Saturday, Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had sought a written assurance from the BJP on the “50:50 formula” that includes sharing the CM’s post for 2.5 years each.
Initially, it was popularly believed that the BJP on its own would secure at least 145 seats—the majority figure required for government formation—and that it might not be required to approach the Shiv Sena, though the two parties had contested the assembly elections jointly. However, post-results, it seems the BJP may not be able to form the government on its own, and it must look to seek support of the Shiv Sena, Congress or NCP.
The political grapevine suggests that once he is elected leader of the BJP legislative party, Fadnavis will stake claim to form the government, irrespective of whether Shiv Sena supports him or not. On the other hand, the Sena insists it won’t compromise on the CM’s post and that its nominee will assume that post for the first two-and-a-half years of the new term.
A source close to the BJP leadership said, “Since BJP is the single largest party, the governor will have no option but to call Fadnavis for the formation of the government.’’
He pointed out that in 2014 too, although BJP did not have a clear majority, then governor Vidyasagar Rao had called Fadnavis to form the government following NCP’s support to BJP. “Fadnavis was asked to prove his majority on the floor of the house within a month. As per convention, Fadnavis will be sworn in as the CM and he may be given a week or a fortnight’s time to formally prove his party’s strength in the house. BJP leadership is in no mood to give the CM post to the Shiv Sena,’’ he said.
In Video:Ball is in BJP's court, says Congress leader on Shiv Sena-BJP discussions^[1][2][3][4]

References

1. ^{^} Devendra Fadnavis (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
2. ^{^} Diwakar Raote (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
3. ^{^} Bhagat Singh Koshyari (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
4. ^{^} Ball is in BJP's court, says Congress leader on Shiv Sena-BJP discussions (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

from Times of India https://ift.tt/2WhrLqA