BJP allies get just 10 per cent in corporations

Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday placated distressed small alliance parties with a mere 10 per cent share in government-run corporations; however, the share in Cabinet expansion was ignored by the BJP. It was decided in a meeting of coordination committee held at Vinod Tawde’s official residence.

Devendra Fadnavis, while in Opposition, had promised to give an equal share in power once BJP is in power. The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance government has been enjoying power in the state for the last 16 months, but they forgot to fulfil their assurance, said Sadabhau Khot, leader of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS). The ruling BJP government deliberately delayed it, he said.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, a meeting of the coordination committee was held at the government residence of education minister Vinod Tawde at Nariman Point. The meeting was attended by BJP state president Raosaheb Danve, Vinod Tawde, Subhash Desai from Shiv Sena along with Sadabhau Khot from SSS, Vinayak Mete from Shiv Sangram Party, Mahadev Jankar from Rashtriya Samaj Party (RSP) and Avinash Mahatekar from Republican Party of India (A).

Mr Danve said it had been decided to share 10 per cent seats in government-run corporations with small alliance party members where as remaining 90 per cent corporations would be shared between BJP and Shiv Sena.

There are 54 corporations and five to six corporations was to be shared by alliance parties. Annabhau Sathe Development Corporation will be given to RPI whereas Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Maharashtra Goat and Sheep Development Corpo-ration will be given to RSP. It is yet to be finalised which corporation Swabh-imani Shetkari Sanghatana and Mr Mete’s Shiv Sangram will get. “I don’t think the BJP high command will allow a Cabinet expansion. Hence, we have decided to accept whatever we will get as early as possible,” said Mr Jankar.