The BJP has convened a New Delhi meeting with Shinde Fadnavis Pawar in order to discuss the details of power sharing and the composition of the cabinet. After the meeting, an announcement is expected.
According to sources within the party, Devendra Fadnavis, BJP, appeared to be in the lead for the position of Chief Minister, with the Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shind and NCP’s Ajit pawar serving as Deputy Chief Minsters.
Sources in the BJP state claimed that the party leadership in Delhi cleared the name Fadnavis to be CM. However, a Shiv Sena source said: "There was no consultation with our party on making Fadnavis CM. Our party hasn't agreed on a name for CM."
A Shiv Sena functionary said that Shinde was "still on the table" and there had been no decision made about the CM position. The functionary indicated that the party was not in a hurry to relinquish the position easily. "Talks are underway... There will be several rounds of discussion before the name is announced." It could take some time."
The BJP has convened a New Delhi meeting with Shinde Fadnavis Pawar in order to discuss the details of power sharing and the composition of the cabinet. After the meeting, an announcement is expected.
It is reported that the BJP leadership assured its allies it would do its best to accommodate their concerns while maintaining its own interests.
The leadership doesn't want to anger Shinde, who was the Mahayuti Chief minister during the campaign for the Assembly elections. The BJP wants to persuade Shinde to accept their choice.
It is understood that the leadership wants Shinde, to suggest Fadnavis. The BJP must maintain the image of a friendly coalition leader, a BJP official said.
BJP leaders cited the mandate where the party won 132 of the 288 members in the House, 13 seats short of a majority. Shinde, they feel, would be a weak CM if he took up the position.
BJP leaders cited the fact that the party only won 132 of the 288 seats in the House, 13 short of a majoritarian majority. Shinde, they feel, would be a weak CM if he took up the position.
A second source claimed that the Sena could receive around 12 ministerial posts and some important portfolios. The NCP may also receive around 10 ministerial positions.
In Maharashtra, the maximum number of ministers that can be in the Council of Ministers is 43. This includes the Chief Minister. The BJP will likely keep 21 ministerial berths to itself.
Sources indicated that the four top portfolios, Home, Finance, Urban Development and Revenue, that the BJP wanted to retain, would be shared now with alliance partners.
Party insiders have said that the BJP may insist on Finance and Home. Negotiations on portfolios and ministerial positions will continue.
Shiv Sena believes, however, that if Shinde's CM position is denied, Uddhav and his party would have the opportunity to take on Fadnavis, and the BJP. The Uddhav group will accuse them of using Shiv Sena symbol and name to gain power, and then abandoning it. Source: "It may well turn into a BJP vs Maharashtra battle."
Sena's arsenal also includes the consolidation of Maratha vote. The Sena says that if Shinde continues as CM the BJP would generate goodwill from the community – the Sena argument being that Shinde was the leader who “demolished” the Congress and prevented them from securing Maratha vote. The party also reminds the BJP of the Shinde government’s welfare measures and “good governance”.
Some BJP members do not dismiss the arguments of the Shinde group outright. These leaders warn that "any attempt to marginalize Shinde may affect the BJP’s chances in Maharashtra's local body elections".
0 comments:
Post a Comment