Mumbai, October 31: Amid hectic talks of power-sharing in Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde on Thursday has been elected Shiv Sena's legislative party leader. Shiv Sena leaders including Aditya Thackeray, Shinde, Diwakar Raote and Subhash Desai will also meet Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari today in the evening. Uddhav Thackeray-led party has been playing hardball for getting the CM’s post for Aaditya Thackeray. Maharashtra Government Formation Tussle: BJP Offers These Important Portfolios to Woo Shiv Sena.
Yesterday, reports surfaced that the Shiv Sena which was earlier demanding rotational chief ministership for supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form government in the state had softened its stand. The BJP has reportedly offered the Deputy Chief Minister’s post along with 13 to 15 ministerial berths to the Uddhav Thackeray-led party. Maharashtra: NCP, Congress Deny Alliance With Shiv Sena for Govt Formation; Say 'Will Respect People's Mandate'
According to reports, in the new government, there will be 27-29 ministers of the BJP. The saffron party is likely to keep crucial portfolios like home, urban development, revenue and finance with itself. However, the Shiv Sena has been eyeing on the Home department. Shiv Sena Should Accept Deputy CM Post For Aaditya Thackeray And Leave CM Chair For Devendra Fadnavis, Says Ramdas Athawale.
In the recently concluded assembly elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party, though failed to achieve the majority mark. The saffron party bagged 105 seats, while its ally Shiv Sena won 56 seats. This time also the Congress failed to reach the three-figure mark. It bagged only 44 seats, while the Nationalist Congress Party clinched 54.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 31, 2019 03:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).