Fadnavis needles a rankled Sena, says nothing was decided on CM post, retracts later

Mumbai: After having needled a rather aggressively overbearing Shiv Sena by dismissing its demand of rational chief ministership as to no assurance was given, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday in a bid to assuage hurt feelings clarified that no such decision was taken before him. Speaking to newspersons at his official residence Varsha here, he added that any discussion on it between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah and Sena president Uddhav Thackeray is known only to them and only they can decide on it.

Replying to queries on the Sena demands, the Chief Minister stated that BJP president had confirmed to him that nothing has been decided on giving the CMs post in rotation to the Sena and that no power sharing formula has been decided as yet. Fadnavis added that the Sena has so far not made any demands and if they do then it shall be decided on merit. He assured that BJP-Sena will form a stable and efficient Mahayuti government that will be stable and last for the full five years.

Contrary to Senas expectation of Shah flying down to Mumbai for government formation talks, Fadnavis dashing the Senas hopes clarified that the BJP president will not come down to Mumbai to attend the meeting of the BJPs newly elected legislators. Sources disclosed that BJP working president J P Nadda is likely to chair the BJP Legislature Party meeting to be held at Vidhan Bhavan on Wednesday afternoon (October 30). From the body language of Fadnavis although he tried to be his cheerful self he did sound tensed up.

Though he did point out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made it clear that it will be he (Fadnavis) who shall be the next chief minister, indicating that the legislature party meet is most likely to endorse his candidature for the CMs post. When asked about the Sena projecting Aditya Thackeray as its CM face or would the BJP offer Deputy CMs post, Fadnavis clarified that it was Senas prerogative as to which post they wanted Aditya Thackeray to hold.

He however, added that talks with the Sena, both at the formal and informal level were going on and soon a power sharing agreement will be inked. Fadnavis rubbished the talks of power sharing agreement would be based on the similar agreement during the government formation in 1995.

Referring to the Sena indicating that it has all the options open and opposition Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) making overtures to it, Fadnavis asserted that it will be the BJP that will join hands with the Sena and that both the Congress and NCP have clarified that they will not support the Sena in government formation. Fadnavis however, bared the BJPs hurt soul arguing that the party leadership has not taken it kindly on the constant barrage of criticism in Sena mouthpiece “Saamana”.

He added that initially the BJP chose to ignore the criticism of its leaders, but added that ever since the assembly election results were announced the criticism has been more vile and over the top. In the behind the scenes negotiations, the BJP has apparently bluntly told the Sena to stop this criticism or else it was even willing to sit in the opposition benches, if the push came to a shove. Replying to queries over NCP chief Sharad Pawar turning the tide in the NCPs favor by addressing a rally at Satara drenched in rain, Fadnavis sarcastically admitted that their experience of getting drenched was comparatively less.

The remarks evoked an immediate reaction from senior Sena leader, Rajya Sabha MP and executive editor of party mouthpiece “Saamana”, Sanjay Raut who remarked that he was not baring his fangs. Showing an AV clip of Fadnavis at Blue Sea banquets before the Lok Sabha polls, he pointed out that the Chief Minister himself had said about equitable distribution of power and portfolios. Stating that the meanings of the words have not changed in the dictionary and added that Sena president will decide on whether the Sena has any aspirations or not.

Arguing that there was no need for anyone to convince the Sena and that the Sena was not being over demanding. Raut argued that he was merely articulating his partys stand and had been asking for whatever that was agreed upon. We too feel that the BJP will not resort to any other means while reaching the majority mark of 145 seats. Expressing fears that he might be either physically eliminated or dumped in jail over concocted charges, Raut boasted that he was not worried about it and has taken many rivals head on so far.

Referring to Fadnavis remarks he further added that BJP was an ally of the Sena and if they are seeking votes in the name of Lord Ram, then they like Lord Ram keep their word on power sharing which they had made publicly. Claiming that there was no deadlock in the Sena, he added that Chandrakant Patil in the BJP craves for the Chief Ministers post. Raut added that late Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray had taught the Shivsainiks to remain loyal with their friends. At the same time, the Sena leader added that there are many options available for the Sena.

BJP MLC Prasad Lad who has been holding informal parleys with the Sena leadership, clarified that the next government will be that of the Sena-BJP and that the deal will be formalized in the next three-four days and the swearing in ceremony will be held soon. He said that once the Diwali festival is over, the pace of negotiations will pick up and added that if at all any bottlenecks crop up, they will be sorted out by Amit Shah.

Meanwhile, RPI-A faction leader and Union Minister for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale argued that he did not foresee the Sena getting the CM post. But added that a minority government will not last long and the state might have to once again face early elections which will not be in the interest of the Sena-BJP which will have to pay for it badly. He added that it is difficult for the BJP to stake claim to power on the basis of just 105 seats. Athawale however advised the Sena not to remain adamant on the CM post and accept some key ministries in the bargain.