BJP has formed government in Maharashtra with the 'real Shiv Sena': Devendra Fadnavis

Vibha Sharma

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New Delhi, July 9

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said that the “real Shiv Sena is the Shiv Sena of Hindu hriday samrat Balasaheb Thackeray and the BJP has formed the government with the same Shiv Sena.”

Addressing a press conference in Delhi along with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Fadnavis also defended his party’s decision to appoint him Deputy CM instead of the CM as was being speculated earlier.

“My party made me the CM earlier, now as per the need of the party, I have abided by the party’s decision. Eknath Shinde is our leader and CM. We will work under him. The injustice was undone and our natural alliance was revived,” Fadnavis said.

Shinde, meanwhile, said the existence of Sena MLAs was under threat in the MVA government headed by Uddhav Thackeray.

“Back then we could not speak or express our views, which is why we took the step (to break away). It is only the natural alliance of BJP and Shiv Sena that can take Maharashtra ahead,” Shinde said.

The two leaders, however, refused to expand on the contours of the council of ministers, which is believed to be the main reason for their visit to Delhi.

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri @mieknathshinde and the Deputy Chief Minister Shri @Dev_Fadnavis called on PM @narendramodi. @CMOMaharashtra pic.twitter.com/i2ljZTeuFB

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 9, 2022

Shinde and Fadnavis, who met Home Minister Amit Shah last night, today called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president JP Nadda and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

They also made a courtesy call on President Ram Nath Kovind.

During their meeting with Amit Shah, they are believed to have discussed the broad contours of the power-sharing formula between the BJP and the Shinde-led faction of the Shiv Sena.

“I am confident that under the guidance of Narendra Modi, both of you will serve the people faithfully and take Maharashtra to newer heights of development,” Shah said last night.

Being the senior partner in the alliance, it is the BJP at the Centre which is curating the expansion, sources said. “They (BJP leaders) have to keep in mind the aspirations of the breakaway Sena group and also that of saffron MLAs, many of whom are experienced and eligible for ministerial posts,” they added.

The numerical strength of the Maharashtra Council has to be around 43, including the Chief Minister.

The Supreme Court will hear a fresh plea of the Thackeray-led faction challenging the appointment of Shinde as the CM on July 11. The Court has agreed to take it up along with other petitions on Maharashtra political crisis already pending before it.

“We have faith in the judiciary,” Shinde also said asserting that the group led by him had the support of two-thirds of the Shiv Sena MLAs. The Shiv Sena had 55 MLAs before the split triggered by Shinde’s revolt. Nearly 40 Shiv Sena MLAs had backed Shinde, who also enjoys support of Independents and MLAs from smaller outfits.

“The Speaker has also granted us recognition,” he said, referring to the decision of Speaker Rahul Narwekar.

Embattled Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray yesterday asserted the “bow and arrow” symbol will remain with the original party that is the one headed by him.

Thackeray told mediapersons in Mumbai that the Supreme Court verdict on July 11 will decide future of Indian democracy and not just that of Shiv Sena.

He also demanded a midterm election so that people can give a verdict on the toppling of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by him.