Fadnavis will take oath, with or without Sena: Ramdas Athawale
The RPI (A) chief's comments came after NCP chief Sharad Pawar made it clear that his party would play the role of a strong Opposition in the state.
Mumbai: Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment and RPI (A) chief Ramdas Athawale Wednesday said that the swearing-in will take place on November 8, “with or without” the Shiv Sena. He added another twist to the story by claiming that the NCP could give outside support to even the BJP-led government. He said that the mandate was for the BJP and there was no question of Devendra Fadnavis being dumped.
“There is no option left with the Shiv Sena but to form the government with the BJP under the leadership of Mr Fadnavis,” Mr Athawale said.
The RPI (A) chief’s comments came after NCP chief Sharad Pawar made it clear that his party would play the role of a strong Opposition in the state.
The RPI (A) chief also expressed surprise at how the Sena would form the next government with 56 legislators. “If the Sena does not come with us then Mr Fadnavis should move forward and stake claim to the government in the state,” he said.
He also said that if they needed to take support from the NCP to form the next government, they were ready to do so. The legislators from other parties, too, were ready to extend their support. After all this too, if the government was not formed, they were ready to go to polls, again.
Since the results of the state Assembly polls were announced on October 24, a tussle has been underway between the BJP and Shiv Sena over equal sharing of power including the post of chief minister. As a result, the formation of the government in the state has been delayed.
It is to be noted that the BJP-Shiv Sena along with smaller parties contested the election together. The saffron grand alliance together bagged 161 out of the 288 seats.