Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 4
The BJP will form the next government in Maharashtra and that “doors are open for the Shiv Sena”, sources in the party said on a day Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called on Home Minister Amit Shah to seek more “assistance from the Centre for farmers” affected by unseasonal rains in the state.
While Fadnavis insisted he was in the national capital to take up farmers’ issues, the fact that Shah is also the chief of the party, matters related to the formation of government in the state, where ally Shiv Sena continues to play hardball for a ‘50-50’ power sharing arrangement, were also discussed. The sources said “it is wait and watch, doors are open for the Sena”.
The BJP is “concerned, willing to part with important portfolios but unwilling to part with the Chief Minister’s position. Going with the NCP is not an option”, said the sources.
Fadnavis, who later met senior BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav, is also believed to have consulted Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. “A couple of portfolios are held by leaders considered close to Gadkari. There are other options, things should fall in place by November 8 (which is when the tenure of the existing Legislative Assembly ends),” the sources also added.
State Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar last week said Maharashtra could head for President’s rule if the new government is not in place by November 7 in the state where no headway has been made in the government formation more than 10 days after the Assembly results were declared. This is not the first time government formation has been delayed in the state.
A prolonged standoff between warring BJP and Sena has resulted in speculation on permutations and combinations with other players in field — the Congress and NCP — whose leaders Sonia Gandhi and Sharad Pawar, respectively also met today. The BJP and Sena fought together, winning 105 and 56 seats, respectively. The NCP secured 54 seats and Congress 44 in the 288-member Assembly.
Meanwhile, Fadnavis said he requested the Home Minister for more assistance from the Centre. “I submitted a detailed report based on the primary assessment. The Centre will send a team for detailed assessment soon. I have also requested for a meeting by the Centre with insurance companies to ease norms and give maximum assistance to farmers. The Home Minister has immediately asked concerned officials to schedule this meeting”, Fadnavis said.
According to the state government’s estimates, crops in over 54 lakh hectares have been damaged due to rains.
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