BJP plans to form govt alone in Maharashtra

Two days after emerging as the largest party in the Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP, it appears, is in no hurry to strike a deal with the Shiv Sena to form government in the state with media channels reporting that the Amit Shah-led party could instead seek support from smaller parties.

The latest reports coming in say that the BJP is in no mood for negotiations with the Shiv Sena, and will now move to form the government on its own.

“As of now, with support of smaller parties and independent MLAs, we have in all 135 MLAs,” BJP MP Kirit Somaiya

a key BJP leader in the state said: Talks have been happening with Sena since yesterday (Sunday). Sena wants cabinet berths to be divided on a 1:1 ratio, which is unacceptable to us. We have almost double the number of seats and a strong government at the Centre. We are willing to decide on the basis of 2:1 ratio, but some Sena leaders have told us that is not acceptable to them.

The Shiv Sena, though, is looking to replicate the 1995 form of government wherein they had allotted key portfolios to the BJP as well as deputy CM post even though they (BJP) were the smaller party. But the BJP counters the 1995 argument saying during that election they were in an alliance but this time they fought against each other.

While the Shiv Sena has been tight-lipped about their demands from the BJP,

that they want at least 21 berths, while the BJP is willing to offer them only 14, with 10 key portfolios and no deputy CM post.

There also exists a section in the Sena that is against the party forming government with the BJP, saying it could negatively affect the party’s future prospects.

“We have just conducted a campaign where we have attacked the BJP,” said a Shiv Sena member. “Now shaking hands with them would finish off our party, as we would have no credibility left. We should sit in the opposition. Let the BJP take the support of the NCP in forming the government and justify it to the people,” a party leader told.

The BJP though, is unlikely to decide on its alliance before Diwali. Central party observers – Rajnath Singh and JP Nadda who were supposed to visit the state today have postponed their visit to after Diwali. The party legislators, though, could go ahead and meet the Governor staking claim to form government and could seek time to prove their majority in the Assembly, something that is permitted under the Constitution.

With the NCP offering its unconditional ‘outside support’ to the BJP, the Shiv Sena, which was in alliance with the BJP for 25 years, hit out at the NCP saying it was ‘opportunist’ and further warning the BJP against going ahead and forming a minority government.

“The people have not only ensured the defeat of the Congress-NCP but have rubbed their faces in dirt. But the NCP is attempting to getting into the same photograph with the BJP. Maybe they will feature in the photo but what about the fact that you are unrecognisable because of the mud on your faces?” the editorial asked.

While on Monday the bone of contention was the deputy CM post, it has now shifted to cabinet berths with the Sena demanding that their legislators get equal number of ministers as the BJP including key ministries such as home, finance and irrigation.