Media reports are suggesting that Shiv Sena may join the Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra before the Winter Session of the Assembly begins on December 8.
BJP leader and Maharashtra PWD minister Chandrakant Patil told reporters that Shiv Sena “will be accommodated” in the upcoming cabinet expansion.
“We have always wanted Shiv Sena to join us because we do not want unstable government in the state… the final picture will be clear in one or two days. But one thing is for sure – Shiv Sena will be accommodated in the cabinet expansion, which may happen between November 25 and 30,” Patil said in Kolhapur.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has reportedly discussed this with BJP president Amit Shah.
“Shiv Sena has always been a friend and in future, I think and I hope, we will be friends,” Fadnavis said in New Delhi.
Shiv Sena, meanwhile, stick on its demand of major portfolios including the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
Senior Sena leader Gajanan Kirtikar said BJP should reciprocate Sena’s friendship.
“It is BJP’s and Fadnavis’ responsibility to take in the Shiv Sena. We want at least a third of the portfolios. When we were in power, we had given them (the BJP) Deputy Chief Minister’s post and important ministries. We expect similar response from them now, to be treated with respect. But the final decision will be taken by Uddhav Thackeray,” Kirtikar said.
(With input from NDTV)
Tags: BJP Devendra Fadnavis Maharashtra Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray