Mumbai: In the wake of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) refusing to accept its demand that the chief minister’s chair be shared on a rotational basis, the Shiv Sena has called an meeting of its newly-elected MLAs on Thursday.
In addition to discussing the power-sharing deal with the BJP, the party is also likely to elect the legislature party leader on this occasion.
The party has even cancelled the Konkan tour of Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray for the meeting, which will be held at the Sena Bhavan in Dadar and addressed by Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.
Ever since the results for the Vidhan Sabha polls were announced, there has been an intense tussle between the Sena and the BJP over the sharing of power in the next government.
According to sources, the BJP — which has refused to give the coveted post to the Sena — has offered the post of deputy chief minister and 13 portfolios to its alliance partner.
However, the party has made it clear that key portfolios, including home, finance, urban development and revenue will not be given to the Sena under any circumstances.
In the Sena meeting, the party will not only discuss the BJP’s offer but also finalise the name of its legislative party leader.
Senior leader and cabinet minister Eknath Shinde is the incumbent legislative party leader of the Sena in the outgoing Assembly.
Meanwhile, two Independent MLAs namely Manjula Gavit (Sakri) and Chandrakant Nimba Patil (Muktainagar) pledged their support to the Sena after meeting Uddhav Thackeray.
Mr Patil had defeated BJP veteran Eknath Khadse’s daughter Rohini Khadse in the recent election. The Sena, which won 56 seats in the poll, has so far received the support of six MLAs including Ms Gavit and Mr Patil, taking its strength to 62 in the 288-member House.
Other MLAs who have extended their support to the Sena since the results were declared are Bachu Kadu and Rajkumar Patel of the Prahar Janshakti Party, Ashish Jaiswal (Independent) and Shankarrao Gadakh of the Krantikari Shetkari Party.
