Sena gives ultimatum to BJP, Devendra Fadnavis says disappointed with Anil Desai not taking oath

Shiv Sena on Sunday served an ultimatum to BJP to come clear on the issue of taking NCP support for the survival of its minority government in Maharashtra within two days, failing which it will sit in the opposition.

In the continuing war of nerves with BJP, the Sena ordered its Rajya Sabha member Anil Desai, who was to be sworn-in as a minister in the Union government today, to return to Mumbai over persisting differences between the two parties on power-sharing in the state, but stopped short of shutting the door on BJP completely. "If we don't get a satisfactory answer (from BJP) in next two days, we will sit in the opposition," Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray told reporters at Sena Bhawan in Central Mumbai on Sunday night, after a meeting of party legislators.

In an apparent reference to Hyderabad-based the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM), which won two seats in recently held Maharashtra Assembly polls, Uddhav said, "Forces which are dangerous for Hindus have raised their heads in recent Assembly polls." "At such a time, if BJP wants to go with Sharad Pawar who spoke of saffron terror, we will sit in the opposition," he said, adding, "I am free to take my party's decision. I expect a response from BJP."

While Desai was recalled, Sena boycotted the first expansion of the Union government by Prime Minister Narendra Modi also apparently over its nominee being given the post of Minister of State and another leader Suresh Prabhu being inducted as Cabinet minister despite the party's unwillingness. Prabhu, tipped to head the think-tank that will replace the Planning Commission, joined BJP before being sworn in as Cabinet Minister in the first expansion of the Narendra Modi government.

However, Uddhav kept up the suspense over continuance of its lone member in Union Cabinet, Anant Geete despite the stand-off with BJP. Geete continues in the Union Cabinet while the two parties share power in cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Though Sena had reportedly given up its demand for the post of Deputy Chief Minister, the two parties have failed to resolve their differences over the share Sena should get in the ministerial pie in Maharashtra and key portfolios. "If there has to be an alliance (between Sena and BJP) it has to be on basis of principles. The matter of who will get what portfolios comes later," Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters after BJP legislature party meeting here on Sunday night.

"We are disappointed by Anil Desai not taking oath after confirming and after his name was sent to Rashtrapati Bhavan," Fadnavis said. "When the PM included Sena minister in expansion, Sena should have shown faith in Modiji. It would have done the right thing in Maharashtra also," he said. Meanwhile, on former Sena leader Suresh Prabhu, who was inducted in the central ministry, Uddhav said when the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government first came to power, Bal Thackeray had named Prabhu as the party's first choice for ministerial post. "Pawar had toppled the Vajpayee government and today it is Pawar whose company BJP wants," he said.

"Shiv Sena won't hanker for power at the cost of self- respect. Had we been hungry for power, we would have accepted whatever came our way in today's (Union ministry) expansion," Uddhav said.
"We feel Hindutva forces should not split. But Sharad Pawar has announced support to BJP. NCP leaders were the ones to visit the house of Ishrat Jahan (one of the victims of alleged 2004 fake encounter in Gujarat)," he said. "It will be the misfortune of the state and country if BJP accepts NCP support," he said. "Hindutva powers should be united and if BJP wants to go with NCP, then our paths will be different," Uddhav said.

The inaugural session of the newly elected Assembly begins tomorrow and the Fadnavis government faces the crucial trust vote on November 12. NCP with 41 MLAs has extended outside support to 121-member BJP in the House with effective strength of 287 following the death of a BJP legislator. NCP abstaining from the vote will help the Fadnavis government sail through the floor test even if Sena decides to occupy opposition space. With 63 MLAs, Sena is the second largest party in the House. It could give tense moments to the government if it fails to bring on board Congress and NCP to get a common candidate elected as the Speaker.

There were reports that some Sena leaders had met their NCP counterparts to discuss the issue recently. While Sharad Pawar had confirmed the meeting, he had said no concrete proposal came up.
"If I have to meet (NCP leaders) I will do so openly," Uddhav said.