Shiv Sena ready to support any BJP Chief Minister
As BJP readies itself to form a minority government, in case all talks fails, Shiv Sena extended a “olive branch” to BJP by accepting to support latter’s choice of CM.
In its party mouthpiece 'Samnaa', Sena has apparently written that whether it was Nitin Gadkari or Devendra Fadnavis, the party would support the leader who takes Maharashtra forward.
BJP Maharashtra unit President Fadnavis is among the front-runners for the CM’s post.
Union Transport Minister Gadkari's name too has been in the fray though he himself has said that he was not keen to return to Maharashtra.
It has been learnt that, BJP's Maharashtra legislative party is scheduled to meet soon to formally elect the next CM of the state.
BJP's central observers Rajnath Singh and JP Nadda are likely to attend the meet.
Earlier, media reported that a minority Maharashtra government by BJP will be sworn-in on October 30.
The swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held at the Wankhede Stadium. Prime Minister Narendra Modi may also attend the event.
Sources said BJP can go ahead with the government formation even while talks about portfolio sharing with the Shiv Sena are on.
The BJP fell short of a majority in Maharashtra by 22 seats. The saffron brigade won altogether 123 Assembly seats in the state.
It is widely expected that BJP would go with former ally Shiv Sena which won 63 seats.
But the NCP, which won 41 seats, played a spoiler by offering unconditional outside support to the BJP in Government formation.
Now, in order to appease BJP, Sena has showered praises on its erstwhile coalition partner through its mouthpiece.
In Samnaa’s editorial published on Monday, Sena credited both the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP National President Amit Shah for winning Maharashtra.
The BJP contested alone in Maharashtra after ending its 25-year alliance with the Shiv Sena last month over a seat-sharing disagreement.
In Maharashtra, all previous alliance partners - BJP and Shiv Sena of NDA and Congress and NCP of UPA - fought elections individually after failing to forge pre-poll tie-up.
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