A day after assuming office as Maharashtra’s first BJP Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday visited Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray’s memorial, even as the two parties held talks on the Sena’s inclusion in the Ministry.
The visit is seen as an indication that the BJP might consider accommodating the Sena in the Ministry. Sena leaders want the issue to be clinched before November 12, the day set for Mr. Fadnavis to prove his government’s majority on the floor of the Assembly.
Mr. Fadnavis is also yet to declare Cabinet portfolios a day after his government was sworn in. Not only are Cabinet Ministers said to be jockeying for plum posts, outcome of the talks with Sena will also impact Cabinet formation.
Mr. Fadnavis has said the portfolios will be declared late on Saturday night or by Sunday. Nine Ministers were sworn in on Friday including seven Cabinet Ministers and two Ministers of State.
The thaw in the relations between the BJP and Sena, which had turned frosty following disagreements on seat-sharing before the Assembly polls, was evident when Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray relented following persuasion by senior BJP leaders and participated in the oath-taking ceremony.
