Fadnavis, Shiv Sena neta separately call on governor

MUMBAI: Amid contesting claims of allies BJP and Shiv Sena over the Maharashtra chief minister’s post, CM Devendra Fadnavis and senior Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote separately called on governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari here on Monday.
Fadnavis later tweeted, “Also apprised him (Koshyari) on the current scenario.” The CM told TOI, “I am yet to decide on staking claim for formation of the government. Though I can very well run a minority government, it will hamper governance and development. As of now, (we have adopted) a wait and watch policy.”

Met Hon Governor Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari ji this morning at RajBhavan, Mumbai and wished him on occasion of… https://t.co/3h6oVfBb6L

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) 1572243973000^[5]

Raote said his meeting with the governor was a “Diwali courtesy call” and there was no discussion on politics.
According to a BJP cabinet member, “As leader of the single largest party, Fadnavis will stake claim to the CM’s post and the governor has no option but to call him for formation of government.”
BJP has 105 seats, Sena 56, NCP 54 and Congress 44.
“Once Fadnavis is sworn in, it should not be difficult for him to prove majority (within the stipulated time). While the current strength of BJP is 105, most of rebels and Independents have supported him. Fadnavis will use his goodwill on the day the vote of confidence is taken up,” the cabinet member said.
In 2014, BJP and Sena had contested the assembly elections separately — BJP secured 122 seats and Sena 63. Though 23 seats short of a clear majority, Fadnavis had then staked claim and won the confidence motion with the unconditional support of Sharad Pawar’s NCP.
Shiv Sena on Monday also reiterated its demand for an equal share of power and asked the BJP to “speak the truth on the 50:50 power sharing formula” agreed between BJP president Amit Shah and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. Sena MP Sanjay Raut said on Monday, “We expect BJP to honour the agreement made between the allies.”
Asked what would happen if the BJP were to renege on the power sharing formula agreed between a meeting of Shah, Uddhav and Fadnavis ahead of this year’s Lok Sabha polls, Raut told a TV channel, “BJP evokes name of Ram. You (BJP) are going to build the Ram temple. Ram was ‘satyavachani’ (embodiment of truth), so they should speak the truth on this (formula).”
“You can tear a paper but you can’t delete this record (of the power sharing formula agreement between BJP and Sena),” Raut said.
A senior Congress leader said, “Sena should not issue empty threats. If it does not get the CM’s post in the first half of the five-year term, it must terminate the alliance with BJP and challenge Fadnavis to form the government without its support as Congress and NCP have already made it clear that they are not in a mood to form government with Sena.”
(With inputs from agencies)
^{[1][2][3][4][6]}

References

1. ^{^} Shiv Sena (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
2. ^{^} Maharashtra (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
3. ^{^} Bhagat Singh Koshyari (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
4. ^{^} minority government (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
5. ^{^} 1572243973000 (twitter.com)
6. ^{^} Amit Shah (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

from India News | Latest News Headlines & Live Updates from India - Times of India https://ift.tt/2PtfZb5