Maharashtra government formation: It is fair that we hold on to the housing portfolio, says Sena neta | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: During deliberations, Eknath Shinde had raised the issue of the awkwardness of him joining the government as Dy CM after serving as CM of the Mahayuti government. Sources said Amit Shah had calmly told him that even Fadnavis, an ex-CM, had joined him as a deputy and that it was not a decision Fadnavis took himself but because he was asked to do so by the party. BJP’s confidence is based on the numbers it has in the assembly: 132 plus five independents, which grows to a daunting 178 with Ajit’s support, putting the ball in Shinde’s court.
NCP chief Ajit Pawar on Saturday reiterated that the CM would be from the BJP and there would be two deputy chief ministers, one from NCP and the other from the Shiv Sena.
However, the Sena, besides seeking Dy CM’s post, would maintain its demand for the housing portfolio and retention of all nine ministries in the Shinde-led government, a Sena official said. These include the Departments of Industry and Urban Development.
Asked about Sena’s demand on the housing portfolio, Ajit Pawar said, “It is the CM’s prerogative to decide on portfolios. There is no tug of war regarding portfolios.”
Sena’s Sanjay Shirsat justified the party’s demand. “When BJP held the post of Dy CM, they were given the home portfolio. So it’s only fair that we insist on that. If there is a boisterous leader in charge of the department at homeIt will keep rioters away,” he said.
The Sena functionary said there are no backchannel talks or negotiations going on with the BJP and a power-sharing formula will be discussed only when Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar meet in person.
Meanwhile, SS (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said, “Before the MVA government was formed, they declared President’s rule. Now, after such a huge majority, the Mahayuti government has still not been formed. The term of the meeting is over. Hasn’t presidential rule been declared?”