Pressure tactics? Not just Maharashtra, Shiv Sena wants berths in Union cabinet as well

Mumbai: With the BJP making it clear that Shiv Sena MLAs would not be sworn into the Maharashtra cabinet before the trust vote, the Sena now wants two berths in the Union Cabinet during the reshuffle that is likely on Sunday. Apart from that the Sena also wants the induction of three of its MLAs in the state cabinet before the trust vote.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting of senior party leaders on Thursday evening where the party reiterated that it wanted at least three of its MLAs sworn in as ministers before Sunday or else it would vote against the BJP government during the trust vote scheduled for 12 November.

“We have called a meeting of party leaders on Sunday evening. Uddhvaji will take a final call taking into consideration the present political scenario. The decision will be announced in the next two days,” Shiv Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe said after the meeting.

However, senior party leaders said that they were also keen on getting a cabinet berth. “We are part of the NDA and we must be given place in the Union Cabinet. But the party will not give up its demand for swearing in of its MLAs in the Maharashtra cabinet either. We are firm on our demand of a 2:1 share in the state government. We are not going to compromise on that at all,” said a senior Sena leader requesting anonymity.

While the reports said that Thackeray got calls from senior BJP leaders and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to discuss the cabinet expansion, Sena leaders could not confirm the development. The reports said that the PMO had asked the Sena to recommend one name for inclusion in the Council of Ministers.

BJP sources said that former Union Environment Minister Suresh Prabhu was likely to be included in the cabinet but the Sena is looking for an extra berth. Prabhu, a former Sena strongman is said to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The Sena has been in touch with leaders in Delhi and the talks are positive so far,” said a senior BJP leader.

Despite having 18 MPs, Anant Geete is the only Union Minister from the Sena. The BJP is hoping that by including two of its MPs in the Union Council of Ministers, it would be able to pressurise the Sena to soften its stand on the state cabinet and could even ask the party to vote in its favour on 12 November.

“We have done whatever possible from our end. We agreed to all of BJP’s terms and went to Delhi to speak to their leaders. But they must remember that we are not at their mercy. We are the second largest party in Maharashtra. If there is no positive response from the BJP before the trust vote, we have no option but to declare our leader in the assembly,” said a Sena MP, on condition of anonymity.

Another Sena leader said that the party wanted a gracious entry into the government on time. “We can’t keep waiting for the BJP. The ball is in their court.They need to decide on whether to take our support or not,” he added.