BJP will not hold talks with Shiv Sena on cabinet berths, portfolios: Devendra Fadnavis
BJP will not entertain any discussion with Shiv Sena on minsters, number of cabinet berths or portfolios: Fadnavis.. (Source: PTI)Written by Shubhangi Khapre | Mumbai | Posted: November 9, 2014 10:14 pm | Updated: November 9, 2014 10:21 pm
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said there cannot be any discussion on number of cabinet berths, ministers or portfolios with estranged alliance partner Shiv Sena in Maharashtra government.
Hereafter, “BJP can hold talks only on issues of principles.” Thus signaling if Sena were to reconsider its decision to continue its support to BJP in NDA or state government, it should be unconditional. And that they would not entertain any bargain for power-sharing in state government.
BJP will not entertain any discussion with Shiv Sena on minsters, number of cabinet berths or portfolios.
The BJP remarks come at a time when Sena appears to be wavering on its decision on whether it should adopt neutral stand or vote against BJP during trust vote.
Fadnavis’ statement came shortly after Sena president Uddhav Thackeray asked BJP to clarify it’s position on whether it would seek support from NCP during the trust vote. Thackeray also questioned BJP on whether it would like to hobnob with NCP at the cost of Shiv Sena whose alliance was based on Hindutva ideology.
In a sharp retort, Fadnavis said, “Yes, BJP was willing to hold discussions on matters related to principles. But hereafter, BJP will not entertain any discussion with Shiv Sena on minsters, number of cabinet berths or portfolios.”
Fadnavis was speaking to media at BJP headquarters in Mumbai. Earlier, Sunday afternoon Fadnavis held a meeting with all India BJP president Amit Shah in Delhi.
The chief minister said, “Shiv Sena should have shown trust in prime minister Narendra Modi and allowed Anil Desia to join the union cabinet. The decision to induct Desai in the cabinet was taken after consent from Thackeray. It is unfortunate and sad Desai did not join the government.”
The BJP leadership refused to comment on Sena asking them to clarify on NCP. A senior BJP functionary told Indian Express, “What right have they to question us on NCP? It is NCP leaders who are every day promising to support our government in Maharashtra for larger welfare of state. Nobody from our party has given consent to NCP’s support.”
Exposing Thackera’s double speak BJP leader said, “To the contrary it was Sena which went and met NCP leaders to discuss alliances in state.”
The NCP president Sharad Pawar publicly said, “Sena leaders met us.”