Maharashtra: 4 alliance partners meet CM Devendra Fadnavis, demand ministerial berths

MUMBAI: Leaders of four alliance partners in the BJP-led government in Maharashtra today met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis here, demanding berths in the ministry.

Ramdas Athawale-led Republican Party of India, Raju Shetti-led Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, Mahadev Jankar-led Rashtriya Samaj Paksha and Vinayak Mete's Shiv Sangram are part of the ruling coalition led by BJP and Shiv Sena, but none of them have got ministerial berths.

"For one whole year at the Centre and half-a-year in the state the BJP has kept us at bay and not given due representation in the ministries. As per the written assurance given earlier, we want 10 per cent of portfolios in the state and I need a ministry at the Centre," Athavale told PTI.

"We do not want to disassociate ourselves from the coalition only for power, but it's time BJP should clear its stand," said Athavale.

"Fadnavis promised to form a coordination committee which would include representatives of all the six alliance partners and would look at the possibility of inducting our members during the coming cabinet expansion in the state," said Avinash Mhatekar, national general secretary of RPI (A), after the meeting.