Shiv Sena, NCP, Congress Finalize CMP, To Meet Maharashtra Governor On Saturday To Stake Claim

After hectic parleys and marathon meetings, the three prospective partners on Thursday finalized their Common Minimum Programme, which has been sent to their respective party leaders for final approval.

Mumbai: Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP leaders during a joint meeting for a Common Minimum Programme, in Mumbai, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. (PIC/PTI)

Mumbai (Maharashtra): As Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress are developing the contours of the proposed alliance to rule Maharashtra, reports on Friday suggested that the leaders of the three parties will be meeting Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari tomorrow to stake claim to form the government. This comes after NCP chief Shard Pawar briefed the press this morning and informed that “the process to form government has begun” and exuded confidence of running the government for full 5 years. Speaking to ABP News, NCP leader Nawab Malik said the party has agreed to have a chief minister from Shiv Sena. “Shiv Sena and BJP had a rift over the Chief Minister's post, so we would want a Chief Minister from Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena has been insulted, it is our responsibility to maintain their self-respect”. Earlier this morning, Sena MP Sanjay Raut asserted that his party "will rule Maharashtra for 25 years". To a query on the ideological differences between the parties, Raut said “it is for the three parties to sit and discuss them”. After hectic parleys and marathon meetings, the three prospective partners on Thursday finalized their Common Minimum Programme, which has been sent to their respective party leaders for final approval. According to ABP News Sources, NCP & Congress parties have agreed upon having a CM from the Shiv Sena for 5 years while the Deputy CM post will jointly be shared by the UPA allies for 2.5 years each. As per the new formula, the coveted Home Ministry portfolio will be given to NCP while other major ministries will be shared between Congress & NCP. The assembly speaker’s post may go to the Congress and the Deputy Speaker's post to the NCP. Who is going to be the next CM - Aaditya or Uddhav Thackeray is, however, still not clear. There are strong indications that the formal announcement of the freshly minted alliance will made on November 17, the death anniversary of its founder Balasaheb Thackeray. The Shiv Sena is also keen to officially declare the alliance on Sunday to give a tribute to the Sena patriarch. The Shiv Sena has summoned all its legislators to Mumbai on November 17.