India
Maharashtra government formation: signal to Shinde? BJP to take oath of Maharashtra government on December 5 | India News – Times of India
State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said in a message on “The wait for this historic swearing-in is over. We thank the public for their support,” Bawankule said.
CM will be from BJP, deputies from NCP & Sena, says Ajit
The announcement came after talks were paused after the three Mahayuti netas, caretaker CM Eknath Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar met Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. The unequivocal message on
Political circles in Delhi and Mumbai unanimously agreed that the post was a clear message to Shinde to come over and agree to be part of the Fadnavis government.
During the deliberations, Shinde had raised the issue of the awkwardness of him joining the government as deputy CM after serving as CM of the Mahayuti government. Sources said 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 Shiv Sena.
However, Sena, besides seeking the deputy CM’s post, would continue to insist on the demand for the housing portfolio and for retaining all nine ministries it held 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.”
Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Shirsat justified the party’s demand. “When the BJP held the post of deputy 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 home department, it will keep rioters at bay,” he said.
The Sena functionary said there are no backchannel talks or negotiations going on with the BJP and any formula will be discussed only when Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar meet in person.
“Before the meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, CM Shinde had made it clear that he wholeheartedly accepted their decision on the next CM. No name for CM was announced at the meeting in Delhi. It was only indicated that the CM will be from BJP. It was decided that the exact formula will be decided by CM Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar in Mumbai and then reported to New Delhi. After CM Shinde’s return from Delhi, there has been no communication with BJP. The NCP and the BJP have not yet chosen their own party leader,” the Sena official said.
In the outgoing government, CM Shinde headed the urban development department. Gulabrao Patil took care of water supply and sanitation, Dada Bhuse headed ports and mining, Uday Samant was minister of industries and Tanaji Sawant held the portfolio of public health and family welfare, among others.
The Sena official said, “Our ministers have only 2.5 years in this government so they need more time to perform. Sena is clear on this. Whether CM Shinde is the DCM or he nominates someone else is his decision.”
Meanwhile, Sena (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 President’s rule been declared?” Thackeray on Friday took issue with Shinde’s trip to his village in Satara. “After such a huge majority, some people are going to their fields instead of Raj Bhavan,” he said.
Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT) said, “Shinde looks uncomfortable both mentally and physically. The smile on his face and the twinkle in his eyes are gone. It is as if he has been offered something that has been taken away,” Raut said.
Hitting back at Raut, Shirsat of Shiv Sena said, “After this verdict, it is clear to us whose mental balance has been affected.”
