Maharashtra Assembly Polls 2014: Shiv Sena MLAs eager to join government; Uddhav Thackeray’s move after BJP silence

MUMBAI: In yet another climbdown from its earlier position, two senior Shiv Sena leaders were asked to go to Delhi and meet BJP leaders in an attempt to work out a formula under which the Sena can be part of the next government in Maharashtra.

BJP had taken a stand that they would speak only if the Sena announces unconditional support to it and does not demand any particular positions in the new government. Shiv Sena MP Anil Desai and senior leader former MLA Subhash Desai left for Delhi to meet BJP’s JP Nadda on Tuesday night.

Earlier Anil Desai had said that his party has received no proposal from BJP of any kind for support in forming the next government in Maharashtra. “We have not got any offer or proposal from BJP in the last two days. Uddhavji had a chat with BJP leaders after the results came out but after that we have not had any communication” Desai told media in Mumbai.

Sena held another meeting of MLAs in Mumbai on Tuesday. They seemed to be of the opinion that the party should participate in government and offer support to BJP without preconditions. Some MLAs spoke informally to the media about this. “We have fought hard against Congress and NCP for so many years. This is the time we can participate in the government and in decision-making. We will be able to deliver something that we have promised to our voters only if we are in government,” said an MLA elected from Konkan.

Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had announced on Sunday that he had decided not to approach BJP with any proposal and would wait till the BJP offered something to the Shiv Sena. ET has learned that the BJP has almost finalised a plan of establishing a minority government in Maharashtra without approaching the Sena.