Nitin Gadkari suggests new formula to break deadlock in BJP-Shiv Sena alliance

MUMBAI: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who had stated that he wanted to concentrate on his ministry in New Delhi, may be calling the shots in his home state. The party unit briefed him about the current deadlock with Shiv Sena over the alliance in Maharashtra and sought his intervention in the matter.

Gadkari held a meeting with senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders from Maharashtra, including state president Devendra Fadnavis, leader of the opposition in the council Vinod Tawde, at his Delhi residence on Tuesday. He suggested a new formula to resolve the deadlock according to a senior leader present at the meeting.

After the meeting, Fadnavis said: “We briefed our leader on the talks between us and our alliance partners. We briefed him also about the situation in certain constituencies and our preparation for the campaign. Many probable solutions were discussed.”

Gadkari and Fadnavis share a special equation as both are from Nagpur and enjoy the confidence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leadership. Even as hard negotiations continue with Sena over constituencies and no solution is in sight, BJP president Amit Shah will arrive in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Shah is expected to attend a private function and participate in the party’s core committee meeting on Wednesday.