New Maharashtra government likely next week

October 25, 2014 04:06 pm | Updated November 28, 2021 09:13 pm IST - New Delhi

In this October 19, 2014 photo, BJP Maharashtra unit president and frontrunner for the Chief Minister's post Devendra Fadnavis celebrates at the party office in Mumbai.

In this October 19, 2014 photo, BJP Maharashtra unit president and frontrunner for the Chief Minister's post Devendra Fadnavis celebrates at the party office in Mumbai.

The new BJP government in Maharashtra is likely to be sworn in on October 29 or 30, party sources said in Mumbai on Saturday.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP’s central observer for election of the legislature party leader, is expected to arrive in Mumbai on Monday and election is likely to take place the next day, a top BJP leader said in Mumbai in an informal interaction with journalists.

Back channel talks were said to be on between the BJP and estranged former ally Shiv Sena for forming a coalition government.

The BJP, which has emerged as the single largest party in the 288-member Assembly with 122 seats, has already been offered outside support by the 41-member strong NCP.

With its 63 MLAs, the Sena is the second largest party in the House.

Meanwhile, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha leader Mahadev Jankar, whose party is a pre-poll ally of the BJP and has one MLA, said his party is not in favour of any tie-up with the NCP.

“We want the new government to come to power without the backing of NCP or Congress against whom BJP fought the poll and highlighted their corruption,” Mr. Jankar said after meeting State BJP chief Devendra Fadnavis, who continues to be the frontrunner for the post, though there are some more names doing the rounds. .

Mr. Jankar said his party wanted representation in the new Ministry.

‘Uddhav not scheduled to meet Modi’

Meanwhile, terming Mr. Modi’s visit to Mumbai as apolitical, the Sena said party president Uddhav Thackeray was not scheduled to meet him in Mumbai or even in the national capital later, and talks for government formation would start only on Monday.

The Prime Minister on Saturday inaugurated the H.N. Reliance Foundation’s hospital in Mumbai.

“The Prime Minister has come to Mumbai only to inaugurate a hospital. At a time when the PM has come for a social cause, there will be no political talks. Talks will start only from Monday,” Sena MP from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Vinayak Raut told reporters in Mumbai, after meeting Mr. Thackeray at his residence.

When asked if Mr. Thackeray was scheduled to meet Mr. Modi in Delhi next week, Mr. Raut said no meeting had been scheduled.

“We haven’t had a talk with BJP regarding Modi’s (possible) meeting with Uddhav Thackeray. For now, I can only say that all the Sena MPs will be attending the Diwali dinner (organised by the Prime Minister) tomorrow,” Mr. Raut said.

Asked what would be the Sena’s stand if the BJP decided to form the government without its support, Mr. Raut said Mr. Thackeray would take a decision in the party’s interest.

“If BJP wants to form a government without our support, it will be BJP leaders’ call. Thackeray is keenly observing every development. He is well-poised to take a decision that will be good for the future of the Sena,” Mr. Raut said.

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