Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis to phone Uddhav Thackeray, may offer partner deputy CM's post

MUMBAI: Signs of the strain in the saffron alliance reducing appeared on Wednesday with the BJP, which anointed CM Devendra Fadnavis as its legislative party leader, deciding to offer the deputy CM’s post to the Shiv Sena along with 13 ministerial berths, Fadnavis asserting his party would initiate talks with the Sena leadership on government formation 'as early as possible' and Sena MP Sanjay Raut, in a climbdown of sorts, making it clear it would be good if BJP-Sena formed the next government in Maharashtra.

Fadnavis told TOI the new government led by him would be installed in a day or two. “The BJP-Sena alliance has a clear majority. Besides the support of Independents, the alliance has won the people’s mandate with 161 seats out of 288. We are determined to honour that mandate. We do not think there will be any hurdle in providing a stable government,” he said. “I am sure key issues will be resolved soon so there is no delay in government formation,” the CM added.

A BJP cabinet member said Fadnavis himself would initiate talks with Sena President Uddhav Thackeray. The Sena too is set to elect its legislative party leader on Thursday.


Sources said BJP would soon send a proposal to the Sena stating it will keep 26 ministerial posts and give 13 to Sena. As TOI had reported on Wednesday, BJP will not part with key portfolios like revenue, finance, home and urban development. Of the 13 berths offered, how many would be of cabinet rank would be decided during talks, sources said, adding the berths offered might even go up to 18.

Sena too wants saffron alliance govt: Sanjay Raut
A BJP leader said, “Last time, 5 cabinet berths and 7 junior ministerial posts were given to the Sena. This time the number of cabinet berths could go up.”

Toning down his rhetoric, Sanjay Raut said he believed whatever had been decided between the BJP and Sena would get implemented as per the formula agreed upon. “As CM, Fadnavis said the government will be formed by the saffron alliance. We too want that to happen, but on the basis of whatever (formula) was decided,” he said.

Raut also dismissed speculation that several Sena MLAs were in touch with the BJP to help it form the government.

The proposal to elect Fadnavis as BJP legislature party leader was moved on Wednesday by state party chief Chandrakant Patil. Patil said, “In five years, no faction in BJP has gone to Delhi to request that Fadnavis be replaced. There were protests and agitations in the past five years, but no one said Fadnavis should resign. This indicates his skills and acceptability.”

Fadnavis thanked PM Modi and Uddhav Thackeray for his support during the elections.