RPI chief advises ally to settle for dy CM post

Mumbai: With the differences between the BJP and Shiv Sena showing no signs of dying down, their allies are now trying to engineer a truce.

Union minister and RPI chief Ramdas Athawale admitted that the Sena is in a position to play hardball with the BJP, however, he advised the party to settle for the post of deputy chief minister.

Mr Athawale, who is the minister of state for social justice and empowerment, asked the Sena to give up its demand for the post of chief minister in return for additional ministerial berths in the state and at the Centre.

He said that the Sena should not “stretch further” its demand for the CM’s post, and must settle for the deputy CM’s post.

“I don’t think the BJP will agree to rotational chief minister but the position of deputy chief minister can be given to the Sena for five years. I think that the Sena should accept the position of deputy chief minister for Aaditya Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis should be chief minister,” he said.

The BJP and Sena are still negotiating for the purpose of government formation, with the latter insisting on a 50:50 power-sharing and the CM’s post to be shared for two-and-a-half years, each.

“The Sena may not get the post of the chief minister. But they can get more cabinet portfolios as well as additional ministerial berths at the Centre too,” Mr Athawale added.

The RPI chief also warned that if both parties did not sort out their differences soon, the state might face polls again. He also advised the Sena not to join hands with the Congress and the NCP to form the government.

“If the state goes to polls again, it will be a major loss for the BJP-Sena. The BJP should also consider Sena’s demands. The Sena joining the Congress-NCP to form the government will also not look good,” he said. Mr Athawale said that he would talk to both the parties and ask them to resolve the issue through discussions.