After emerging victorious in the assembly elections, saffron allies Sena and BJP are locked in a dispute over the power-sharing formula for the new government.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray (Photo: Twitter | @ShivSena)
The tussle for the top position the government between Shiv Sena and BJP seems to see no end as the Shiv Sena on Thursday again indicated that it had not given up its claim on the post of Maharashtra chief minister, saying that equal sharing of power must mean sharing of the top post too. Adopting a harsh tone, it accused the BJP of enacting the “second act” of the “use and throw” policy while dealing with its ally.
Whatever was decided when the two parties stitched up alliance before the Lok Sabha elections should be implemented, the Sena mouthpiece Saamana said in an editorial.
“Maharashtra chief minister in that press conference (held after the two parties sealed the alliance) had said all government posts would be equally shared,” it said.
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“If the post of chief minister does not come under it, then we need to rewrite the syllabus of political science,” the Sena said. “The BJP, after the spectacular performance in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, parted ways with the Shiv Sena and is trying to enact a second act of `use and throw”, the editorial said.
“But we will not die out easily, because we have people’s support,” it said.
“Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the possibility of alliance between the BJP and Shiv Sena materializing was bleak. Hence, whatever was decided to seal the deal, should be implemented, that is the only demand of the Shiv Sena,” said the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.
“It is more important to follow the agreement between the two parties than playing the number game,” said the Sena which has won 56 assembly seats against the BJP’s 105, in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly.
“There is no need of any evidence to show what has been decided, but we are living in a time when people lie under oath,” the Sena said.
It also took a swipe at BJP MLAs wearing saffron turbans when Devendra Fadnavis was elected leader of the party in the state legislature. Saffron turbans are generally associated with the Sena in Maharashtra. “One can not borrow the inspiration of saffron just by wearing it. You can not even create it (the inspiration),” it said.
However, the BJP on Wednesday has offered the Deputy Chief Minister’s post along with 13 to 15 ministerial berths, the Shiv Sena, which has been aggressively pushing for rotational chief ministership, signalled a climbdown.
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