Shiv Sena takes a stand: After BJP snub, 'humiliated' party likely to sit in opposition

Mumbai: After the continuous uncertainty and much ‘humiliation’ by the BJP, Shiv Sena has decided to boycott the swearing-in ceremony of the first BJP government in Maharashtra on Friday evening indicating that it is readying to sit in the opposition benches. However, the Sena has neither declared that it would occupy the opposition benches nor it has announced that party’s leader in the legislative assembly. A section of BJP and Sena leaders said that the Sena could join the government at a later stage. However, senior Sena leaders have conveyed to the leadership that further humiliation from the BJP would hurt the party badly. A section of Sena leaders have suggested that the party should vote against the BJP on the floor of the house, forcing the BJP to take the NCP’s ‘unconditional support’, which will ultimately tarnish the BJP’s image. [caption id=“attachment_1780639” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. PTI[/caption] Sena’s tough stand comes hours after the BJP said that no Sena legislator would take oath on Friday. “It seems unlikely that any Shiv Sena minister will be sworn in tomorrow (31 October). Talks with Sena are on in an amicable atmosphere for a possible tie-up in Maharashtra but there has been no outcome yet,” said Rajiv Pratap Rudy, BJP general secretary. Sena leaders said that the party has taken a serious note of the BJP’s statement. “We have taken a serious note of Rudy’s statement. Party president Uddhav Thackeray is monitoring the situation very closely. People should not draw any pre-mature conclusions,” party spokesperson Neelam Gorhe said. “Shiv Sena has constantly been humiliated by the BJP in last few days. It has not gone down well with our MLAs. As our MLAs feel that BJP did not give us due respect, why we should attend the oath-taking ceremony,” Raut told reporters after meeting party president Uddhav Thackeray. Sena leaders on Thursday said that it has climbed down its demand placed before its erstwhile political ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and asked the BJP to induct at least two of its legislators as ministers in the swearing in ceremony on Friday. “But, we are still waiting to see how things unfold after Friday. If BJP takes NCP’s support, it will embarrass them nationally and tarnish their image,” said a senior Sena leader indicating that the party is banking on this last move to join the government. Another Sena leader said that while the party leadership seems to have made up their minds to sit in opposition, it is under lot of pressure from senior MLAs to join the government. “They have reportedly convened to Sena leadership that it would be very difficult to continue without power for another five years,” the leader added. Meanwhile, the chief minister designate Devendra Fadanvis held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Moid and BJP president Amit Shah over the alliance with Sena and also discussed about the possible portfolios to be given to them. However, no final decision could be reached, with the BJP’s central leadership not giving in to the Sena’s lowest offer. “It’s not over it and there is still time for a positive outcome. The names of the legislators to be sworn in as a minister will be sent to the governor by Friday noon. A lot can happen by then,” said a senior state BJP leader.