The meeting between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena on Monday finally put an end to the ongoing tussle between the two parties over power sharing in Maharashtra. According to the new arrangements, Shiv Sena MLAs will get four Cabinet and eight Ministers of State berths in Maharashtra government.
Monday’s meeting was a part of a series of interactions between the two parties raising speculations of ties being on the mend. The BJP has been trying hard to bring Sena on board for a post-poll alliance before the winter session, which commences on December 8.
The Shiv Sena had claimed the post of the Leader of the Opposition’s post in the Maharashtra Assembly after the BJP had refused to give key Cabinet posts to the party. Sena has been adamant on taking deputy chief minister’s post and some key portfolios for its leaders.
Fadnavis had earlier also expressed his desire to have Sena as part of the government. “BJP wants that Sena join the government. We fully favour this,” he had said.
There were reports of a deal being reached between BJP president Amit Shah and Uddhav with Sena likely to get 10 berths in the Fadnavis government, including four of Cabinet rank. However, there is no confirmation of the same.
