Break up or no break up: Will 'take Sena along' when forming govt, says BJP

Mumbai: Ending the speculation over the Shiv Sena’s role in the Maharashtra government, senior BJP leaders on Tuesday said that the party would “take Sena along with it” when it forms the new state government. “We want to take the Sena along and want it to be a part of the government. But, there’s been some delay in the discussions. The talks with Sena are on and we hope there will be a positive outcome soon,” said JP Nadda, senior BJP leader who is in-charge of Maharashtra, after a meeting of state BJP MLAs. He added that a small cabinet would take oath on Friday while the discussion with Shiv Sena would continue on the side. [caption id=“attachment_1776723” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Devendra Fadnavis after the BJP parliamentary board meeting. PTI image[/caption] Other senior BJP leaders also indicated that talks with Sena may yield a positive outcome. “Sena is the second largest party in the state, which means that the people’s mandate is with Sena after BJP. We will take that into consideration,” said senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar, who is also a state BJP’s core committee member. Mungantiwar added that state BJP’s core committee would meet late evening meeting to discuss the future of the alliance with Shiv Sena. “We will discuss the present political scenario in the state and the alliance with Sena in the government formation. Then, a meeting will be held between Sena and BJP leaders to work out a positive deal,” he said. BJP leaders said that the central leadership is keen on the Sena being on board when forming the state government. “Central leadership is of the view that NCP can not be trusted as it may withdraw outside support anytime. We also fear that it may also seek some favors in future in return for its support. So, it will be difficult for us to run a stable and efficient government without the Sena for five years,” said one BJP leader on the condition of anonymity. BJP leaders, throughout the day, maintained a stoic silence on the NCP’s offer of support to the party, giving a clear indication that the BJP unlikely to accept Sharad Pawar-led party’s unexpected offer. Meanwhile, BJP’s Maharashtra MLAs on Tuesday appointed its state unit chief Devendra Fadnavis as the next chief minister of the state. After successfully leading his party to its largest-ever victory in the state in the recently concluded Assembly polls, Fadnavis, who is considered to be a confidante of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was voted in unanimously. After appointing Fadnavis, the BJP had said that a small cabinet would take oath on Friday. BJP sources said that the government is likely to have around 22-23 cabinet ministers of which, the chief minister and six or seven others are likely to take the oath on Friday. However, Sena leaders won’t be part of the oath taking ceremony on Friday. “We may give five or six cabinet berths to the Sena, which would include some significant portfolios. We hope the Sena will accept this offer,” said a BJP leader asking to be kept anonymous. After the BJP’s statement on taking the Sena along, the Sena leaders said that ‘the party would wait till the new CM takes oath’ and are hopeful of an alliance with BJP. Several leaders and party functionaries are of the view that the Sena ought to join BJP-led government only if a “respectable” deal is worked out.