Sena not promised CM’s post for 2.5 yrs: Fadnavis
| Date :30-Oct-2019 |
MUMBAI:
DEVENDRA Fadnavis onTuesday said the Shiv Sena was not promised the CM’s post for two-anda-half years when the alliance was formalised before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Amid the ongoing tussle between the BJP and Shiv Sena over sharing of power in the next State Government, Fadnavis asserted he will be the Chief Minister for next five years. He also expressed displeasure over the Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ frequently targeting the BJP, saying its role was to “derail” the talks.
“There should be no doubt in anybody’s mind that it will be a BJP-led Government for next five years,” Fadnavis told reporters at his official residence‘Varsha’ here. Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray last week reminded the BJP of the 50:50 formula “agreed upon” between himself, BJP President Amit Shah and Fadnavis ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The Sena demanded a written assurance from the BJP for implementing “equal formula for sharing of power” before holding talks on staking the claim to form the next alliance Government in the State.
Commenting on the issue, Fadnavis said, “I have confirmed with Amit Shahandhe toldme that the BJP has not given any assurance for the Chief Minister’s post fortwo- and-ahalfyears (each for the BJP and Sena )when the alliance was formalised before the Lok Sabha polls.” Asked what was then the ‘50:50 formula’, he said, “You will know soon.” To a query if theBJPwill give the Deputy Chief Minister’s posttotheSena,Fadnavissaid, “Appropriate decision will be taken.” The BJP-led alliance will provide a “stable and efficient ”Government for next five years, he said.
On the Sena talking about other options, Fadnavis said both the allies have no other alternative. “We will form the Government together. Reasonable demands on merit will be considered when we sit to talk Government formation. There is no plan B. Plan A is successful,” he said. Fadnavis also expressed resentment over editorials in ‘Saamana’ against the BJP. “The paper’s role is to derail the talks. Will the paper take a hardstandonCongress-NCP?” he asked. He said the BJP Legislature Party will elect its new leader on Wednesday.
Shiv Sena cancels meeting with BJP
MUMBAI :
HOURS after Devendra Fadnavis denied the Shiv Sena was assured post of the CM for 2.5 years as part of a power sharing “formula”, Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday cancelled his party’s meeting with the BJP on formation of the next Government. The development might potentially worsen the already strained relationship between the two parties.
A senior Sena leader said the meet, scheduled to be held here at 4 pm, was cancelled by Thackeray after the statement of Fadnavis on sharing of power The meeting was to beattended by Union Minister Prakash JavadekarandseniorSenaleaders. “Union Minister Prakash Javdekar and party leader Bhupendra Yadav were supposed to attend the meeting to start discussions on formation of the next government from the BJP side, while the Sena would have been represented by Subhash Desai and Sanjay Raut,” the Sena leader said.
The Sena also released an old video clip to “rebut” the CM’s claim son sharing of power in which the latter purportedly talked about equal sharing of posts and responsibilities in the BJP-led state government. “Uddhavjihas cancelledthe meeting scheduled at 4 pm on Tuesday. We have sent out the clip of the CM speaking about sharing posts and responsibilities equally. Fadnavis should mind his words while making such statements,” the senior leader added