BJP Gets Shiv Sena For Support

So, Uddhav Thackeray had to eat his words.

After saying that he would consider if “someone” asks him to come for government formation, Shiv Sena leaders met the Bharatiya Janata Party central leadership for the prospects on government formation.

It should be noted that Home Minister Rajnath Singh had canceled the trip to Mumbai and had indicated that the talks will resume only after Diwali. Another possibility of BJP forming a minority government is also being explored which perhaps perplexed Uddhav’s Sena.

Sena leaders Anil and Subhash Desai returned to Mumbai on Tuesday night after meeting the BJP central leadership. However, chief Uddhav is still undecided over visiting Delhi.

The BJP is claiming support of 138 MLAs including Independents and smaller parties and is confident of passing the floor test. The BJP won 123 out of 288 seats in Assembly polls. The Nationalist Congress Party had already offered unconditional outside support to the BJP, which the party has not yet responded to, and which also had fumed Sena.

Meanwhile, the Indian Express reported that the BJP has approached lone Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MLA Sharad Sonawane, but he’s yet to make up his mind. Sonawane said, “The BJP has approached me but the decision in this regard will be taken by party chief Raj Thackeray.”

Firstpost reported, among the reasons why the Sena is looking at making clear its stand is one, to protect its coffers at the country’s richest municipal body – the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation – which it currently governs.

Second, the Sena would want to ensure that its alliance at the Centre does not end and its current MP Anant Geete, who is minister for Heavy Industries, continues to hold the post.

Whatever course the party takes, Uddhav has been showed his place.