Mumbai, Nov 4 (IANS) Rushing to the aid of beleaguered Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs Raosaheb Patil-Danve on Monday questioned the Shiv Sena’s claim to the chief minister’s post.
Interacting briefly with mediapersons, he expressed confidence that a BJP-led government fulfilling its ‘alliance dharma’ would take office in the state within a couple of days.
“There was no discussion on sharing the chief minister’s post as claimed. The CM will be from the party, which has the highest number of MLAs,” Patil-Danve asserted, virtually throwing cold water on the Sena’s claim for the top post.
Fadnavis – who met BJP President and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Monday – had last week categorically dismissed Shiv Sena’s contention that before the last Lok Sabha elections the two allies had agreed upon sharing the CM’s post.
Sena President Uddhav Thackeray has repeatedly called upon the BJP to adhere to its promise of 50-50 power sharing, including sharing the post of CM for 30 months each, equal number of ministers, etc.
Later, the Sena reportedly softened its stance by showing willingness to accept the post of Deputy CM, a few prime portfolios and other demands like additional representation in the Union Cabinet and some gubernatorial assignments, though nothing has been in the formal domain so far.
–IANS
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