Though the Shiv Sena on Thursday confirmed that all its MPs would attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dinner for NDA allies in New Delhi on Sunday, there was no word on whether party chief Uddhav Thackeray would accompany his MPs. Sena sources say it could not be ruled out.
Sena leaders have expressed confidence that the party would be a part of the government in Maharashtra.
The BJP, which had earlier played hard ball with its estranged ally, will take steps in government formation after Diwali.
BJP sources said the party’s newly elected MLAs would meet on October 27 to choose their leader, expected to be State BJP president Devendra Fadnavis. A day later the party might meet the Governor to stake a claim to form the government.
BJP in-charge of Maharashtra elections, Om Mathur indicated that the party, which is the single largest with 122 seats, would prefer forming the government with the Sena even as it was busy stitching up the numbers towards the magic figure of 145, with the help of independents.
Sena leaders are confident that the two parties would form the government. “Both parties have got a good mandate and keeping the sentiments of the people in mind we will definitely provide Maharashtra a stable government,” said Anil Desai, Sena Rajya Sabha MP.
One of the two emissaries — the other being senior leader Subash Desai, who were on Tuesday dispatched to Delhi by Mr. Thackeray to negotiate with the BJP — Mr. Anil Desai described the talks as “positive.”
The process of government formation is expected to accelerate after Diwali.
The Sena leaders are expected to meet this weekend and take a final call on government formation and the terms and conditions that come with an alliance government. Meanwhile, Mr. Modi will arrive in Mumbai on Saturday for the inauguration of a hospital.
Published - October 24, 2014 03:11 am IST
