Maharashtra stalemate continues as parties keep people guessing

In spite of BJP’s major victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the process of Government formation has still not gathered momentum. The party’s estranged ally Shiv Sena has still not been placated by the top leadership.

A BJP insider has said that the position of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are non-negotiable and therefore those positions would remain with the party. Compared to BJP, Shiv Sena has won much lesser seats therefore they (Shiv Sena) will have to settle for other portfolios.

Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Vinod Tawde told media persons on Monday that the elected MLAs were still on their way to Mumbai. The party high command has deputed Home Minister Rajnath Singh and senior leader JP Nadda as central observers to oversee the process of Government formation.

When asked by media persons about preliminary talks with Shiv Sena, Tawde said that no such talks had been initiated. Party’s senior leader and Member of Parliament Om Prakash Mathur said that in the process of forming the Government, many hindrances do arise but the party will surmount it. The party is in no hurry to form the Government as “it can do it in two days or even in two weeks”, he said.

On talks with Shiv Sena and other parties, Mathur said the party has kept all options open. But he refused to share specific details, “ Main paper out nahi karoonga (I won’t reveal details),” he said. Meanwhile, the Nationalist Congress Party has reiterated its external support to a BJP-led Government. Pawar told the media after chairing a meeting of newly elected MLAs that the party does not want to be a part of the Government in the State. It woult only provid outside support for a stable Government in Maharashtra.

NCP Spokesperson Nawab Mallik told BusinessLine that the decision has been taken keeping in mind the interest of the people but a formal letter of support has not been sent to Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao.

Shiv Sena is also playing hard ball. The elected MLAs met at the party headquarters and decided that all decisions of choosing the party leader in the Legislative Assembly would be taken by Party President Uddhav Thackeray. Shiv Sena’s spokesperson Sanjay Raut told the media there had not been any discussions with BJP. The final call would be taken by Thackeray and conveyed to the people.

COMMENT NOW