We've formed government in Maharashtra with 'real' Shiv Sena: Devendra Fadnavis

New Delhi, July 9

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said “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 with newly appointed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Fadnavis termed the party’s decision to appoint him the Deputy CM as the “need of the hour”.

“My party appointed me the CM earlier. As per the need now, we abided by the party’s decision and I was chosen Deputy CM. Shinde is our leader and CM. We will work under him. An injustice was undone… now our natural alliance has been revived,” Fadnavis said. Shinde, meanwhile, said the existence of Sena MLAs was under threat in the MVA government headed by Uddhav Thackeray and that several MLAs, who broke away, had tried to persuade former CM Uddhav “three to four times to go with natural ally BJP”. “We could not speak or express our views, which is why we took this step (to break away),” said Shinde.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said the alliance had people’s blessings. “I have established this government because this is the will of the people. This government will get help from the central government,” he said.

Shinde and Fadnavis met Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda to discuss the contours of the Maharashtra Council of Ministers.