Maharashtra: Talks may resume, but wary Shiv Sena wants BJP to make first move

The presence of Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at late Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s garden memorial at Shivaji Park and his subsequent announcement that a grand memorial would be built for the late Sena chief, indicated that talks could resume between two warring allies. However, Sena sources said that the party wanted the BJP to take the first step. Sena leaders said that party leadership is now expecting a call from Fadnavis on the alliance so that they could join the government during next week’s proposed cabinet expansion ahead of the winter session of the state legislature. The winter session is scheduled to begin on 8 December in Nagpur. [caption id=“attachment_1807795” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  PTI[/caption] While party President Uddhav Thackeray had a brief interaction with Fadnavis, he had a long chat with his estranged cousin, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Monday afternoon. The public interaction has created an impression in political circles that the two could also forge a political understanding and take on the BJP. Fadnavis said that his government had decided to build a grand memorial for Balasaheb Thackeray in Mumbai. “A committee will be formed under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary including Uddhav Thackeray and leaders from all parties," he added. “The atmosphere is positive following the CMs visit. But, it should go beyond just being positive. So far, we had given them 2-3 proposals but the BJP has not responded yet on it. Though we are keen on joining the government, the ball is in the BJP’s court and they must take the first step and give us a call to restart the talks. As of now, we have already occupied the opposition benches in the assembly and have started our work too,” a senior Sena leader said. Sena sources said that the RSS was making attempts to bring the two former allies together, in an effort to keep the NCP out of the state’s political affairs. “The RSS is keen on us joining the government on ideological grounds. We have taken a hard-line view on Hindutva and the RSS doesn’t want the BJP government with NCP support,” said another Sena leader adding that it seems that BJP leaders were not listening to the RSS anymore. “The current rift between the Sena and BJP is temporary. There is a strong possibility of the Shiv Sena and BJP coming together on the principles of Hindutva. But, we do not know when it will happen. Party president Uddhav Thackeray will take the final call on it,” said senior party leader Manohar Joshi. BJP sources said that at least 20 new ministers could be included during the cabinet expansion next week. If talks with the Sena materialize, 10-12 berths could be given to the Sena. BJP leaders also denied the reports about RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat calling Uddhav. “I am surprised to hear about the RSS chief’s call to Uddhav Thackeray and have no idea about it. As far as Sena is concerned, we have always felt that they should come with us in the state government. I don’t know why they appointed a Leader of Opposition in the Assembly,” said education minister Vinod Tawde. BJP leaders also pointed out that the entire trust vote drama and the NCP’s role in government had dented the BJPs’ image badly. “We have received lot of flak for taking the NCP’s support to win the trust vote. It has taken a toll on the CM’s clean image and BJP’s promise of good governance. Also, the BJP activists are not with NCP’s outside support that has also put pressure on us. So, we are now keen on taking the Sena on board,” a senior leader said. “The survival of the BJP government is being questioned due to the NCP’s support. It is one of the reasons we are keen on taking Sena in government. At the same time, we are also worried about the Sena’s stubborn behaviour. We feel that it should accept the reality and play the role of junior partner in the alliance,” the leader added. Meanwhile, amid talks of a possible re-union, the Sena continued to hit out at the BJP through its mouthpiece, Saamana to mount pressure on the BJP. The party ruled out any rapprochement with former ally BJP saying the ruling party has “shattered the hopes of the people” after what transpired during the trust vote in Maharashtra assembly.