Maharashtra Govt Formation HIGHLIGHTS: Uddhav Slams BJP; Says Amit Shah Agreed On 50-50 Deal
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Mumbai: Amid the ongoing tussle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena to form government in the state, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday met Governor BS Koshyari at Raj Bhawan in Mumbai and submitted his resignation. The term of the existing assembly in the state is due to end on November 9. Soon after submitting his resignation, Fadnavis held a press conference to announce the same and thanked the people of Maharashtra for their support to NDA government in the state. "I have tendered my resignation to the Governor and he has accepted it," Fadnavis told reporters.
Rejecting Shiv Sena's claim of 50-50 government sharing promise made by the BJP, Fadnavis said that there was no promise made for a 2.5 years rotational CM post. "We have also clarified the same with BJP chief Amit Shah Ji and even he has rejected the claims made by Uddhav Thackeray and his party."
"We have not stopped dicussion with Shiv Sena, its them who are not ready for any mutual discussion," Fadnavis said adding that all options are open for the BJP. Shiv Sena, however, still remains firm over its demand for sharing the chief minister's post and has asked the BJP not to misuse the provision of 'caretaker' government to remain in power in Maharashtra.
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Fadnavis also said that BJP won less than expected seats in the assembly but added that the people supported their alliance by giving them clear mandate. He said that Uddhav Thackeray went back on his words and shocked the people with his 2.5 years CM demand.
Fadnavis also pointed out that there were discussions with Shiv Sena over the rotational CM demand but the talks had broken down and there were no agreements over the issue. Fadnavis also claimed that Shiv Sena stopped all discussion with the BJP and instead held talks with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress.
Further speaking, Fadnavis also expressed grief over regular attacks on BJP and PM Narendra Modi by Shiv Sena leaders and said that Uddhav Thackeray did not even respond to my calls.
"Unfortunately, day when results came, Uddhav ji said all options open for government formation. That was shocking for us as people had given mandate for alliance and in such circumstances it was a big question for us that why he said all options are open for him," he said.
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Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena sought police protection in Mumbai for its newly-elected MLAs, who will be shifted to a resort, till November 15, apparently fearing defection from its legislative rank. Sena secretary Milind Narvekar has written a letter to the Mumbai police commissioner, seeking necessary protection for the party's MLAs till November 15.
The Congress-NCP have already announced that they are ready to sit in the Opposition and urged the BJP-Sena to take steps to form the government and prevent a Constitutional crisis in the state as the prospect of President's Rule loomed ahead after Saturday.
Ranked amongst the most politically stable states in the country, in its entire 59-year history, Maharashtra has witnessed spells of President's Rule only twice - for 112 days in 1980 (Feb-June) and later for 33 days in September-October 2014.
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