Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hinted at a rapprochement between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its estranged ally the Shiv Sena on Saturday by saying talks between them will soon reach a decisive phase. However, the latter says no dialogue is on at the moment.
“The Shiv Sena has always been our friend. Even in future, I feel and hope we will be friends,” Mr. Fadnavis said at an event hosted by a media company. “
The BJP-led minority government has been under increasing pressure to strike a deal with the Sena after Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar declared that snap polls were a possibility in the State.
Cabinet Minister Chandrakant Patil was even more categorical than Mr. Fadnavis about a reunion with the Sena. “A Cabinet expansion has been planned between November 25 and 30. The Shiv Sena will be part of the Cabinet,” said Mr. Patil.
However, the Shiv Sena, which currently sits in the Opposition, said the BJP was yet to offer a concrete proposal.
Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar said the party still expected a third of the Cabinet berths and the Deputy Chief Minister’s post.
