In Maharashtra, Shiv Sena Gives Ultimatum To BJP; Demands Rotational CM Formula To Form Govt

Shiv Sena has come out in open and stated categorically that the saffron party and its chief Amit Shah must give it in written that the Chief Minister post shall be shared on a 50-50 basis, and only then the government will be formed in the state.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and BJP President Amit Shah seen during a dinner meeting with National Democratic Alliance leaders. (File Photo/ Getty)

Mumbai: After much deliberation between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena in order to form government in Maharashtra after satisfactory winning the Assembly Elections, the later has come out in open and stated categorically that the saffron party and its chief Amit Shah must give it in written that the Chief Minister post shall be shared on a 50-50 basis, and only then the government will be formed in the state. Soon after meeting Shiv Sena MLAs and Uddhav Thackeray, party MLA Pratap Sarnaik informed reporters on Saturday and announced Shiv Sena's decision out in open. "In our meeting it was decided that like Amit Shah ji had promised 50-50 formula before the Lok Sabha polls, similarly both allies should get chance to run the government for 2.5 years each. Therefore, Shiv Sena should also have CM. Uddhav ji should get this assurance in writing from BJP." Sarnaik further further said that the party President will decide on who the Deputy CM will be adding that Sena MLAs have passed a one line proposal giving all rights of decision to Uddhav Thackeray. The Sena leader also said that the party could not go through the 50-50 seat sharing formula for elections due to some reasons, but now it is the time for BJP to complete its pre-poll promise. Speaking about the same, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale too backed Shiv Sena's proposal and said that BJP must seriously consider the demand of rotational CM post that the Shiv Sena has offered as it cannot form a government without them. "If BJP doesn't want to accept that proposal, then they should at least offer a higher number of cabinet berths. There is no way that Shiv Sena will ally with the Congress," he said. The newly elected MLAs of Shiv Sena want Aaditya Thackeray to be made the Chief Minister in the next government. Earlier in the day, two independent MLAs Ashish Jaiswal and Narendra Bhondekar on Saturday met Thackeray at his residence 'Matoshree' in Mumbai. After the meeting, Shiv Sena claimed that the two independent candidates have offered their support to the party. On a closer look, it is believed that the BJP is seeking the support of independent candidates to increase its tally and to deny the chief minister's post to its ally Shiv Sena. The results for 288 Assembly constituencies of Maharashtra were declared on Thursday with the BJP securing a total of 105 seats and its alliance partner Shiv Sena, 56 seats. As per the Election Commission, BJP secured 105 seats, Shiv Sena (56), Congress (44) and the Nationalist Congress Party (54).