Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday reminded the BJP to keep its word on power sharing in Maharashtra.
Mr. Thackeray was speaking after a meeting of Sena MLAs elected senior party leader Eknath Shinde as legislative party leader. Mr. Shinde’s name was proposed by Aaditya Thackeray.
Addressing the newly elected MLAs at Sena Bhavan, Mr. Thackeray said he had not yet received any power-sharing proposal from the BJP. “Nobody should think they are immortal as Chief Minister,” Mr. Thackeray said.
Slams Fadnavis
The Sena chief also expressed unhappiness over Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s statement that sharing the top post did not figure in talks between the Sena and the BJP leaders ahead of the Assembly elections.
“The Chief Minister should have refrained from making such statements. We still consider the BJP as our ally. Whatever was spoken between Amit Shah and me must be fulfilled and there will be a stable government in Maharashtra,” Mr. Thackeray said.
Sources have indicated that the Sena may relent on its demand to share the CM’s post and settle for some plum Cabinet portfolios instead.
Sena veteran and former Chief Minister Manohar Joshi told a TV channel, “Talks have started. Uddhav Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis have met each other.” However, he added, “I was not present at the meeting.”
The Sena unanimously elected Mr. Shinde as its legislative party leader. His name was proposed by Aaditya Thackeray and seconded by five Sena MLAs. A day ahead of the meeting, there was speculation that Aaditya Thackeray might be a contender for the post. The Sena also named Dindoshi MLA and former Mayor Sunil Prabhu as its chief whip.
Drought relief
Soon after the meeting, all Shiv Sena MLAs, including Independents who have extended support to the party, met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan with a memorandum to declare a wet drought in Maharashtra and provide immediate relief to farmers.
“Heavy post-monsoon showers in various parts of Maharashtra prompted this demand,” Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray told reporters after meeting Mr. Koshyari.
Asked if visiting the Governor with all MLAs was a show of strength, party chief whip Sunil Prabhu said, “The people of Maharashtra are suffering due to unseasonal rainfall and Cyclone Kyarr. Every MLA has experienced this.”
The memorandum stated, “We request you to take these losses personally, provide immediate relief to the people and declare a wet drought in the State. All forms of help should be provided immediately without administrative complications.”
