These are not the Shiv Sena's days. The party, which lost bargaining power, once the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) indicated its willingness to form a minority government with the NCP and independents, may have to further swallow pride.
Senior BJP leaders say even if they ally with Sena in the end, the latter will not likely get more than two cabinet and four minister of state berths.
In fact, on Sunday, BJP leader and opposition leader in the legislative council Vinod Tawde's words reflected the mood in the party: "There is no need to explain the mandate of the people … it is crystal clear."
"The people of Maharashtra have reposed their faith in Modiji and BJP leaders in Maharashtra and people are waiting to see corruption-free Government in the state," he said.
How many ministers can the Sena expect now?
Six to eight. The Sena insisted on a 50: 50 formula for sharing ministerial berths. The BJP rejected it and offered one-third posts. Now one thing's clear. In the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's philosophy, 'maximum governance, minimum government', the cabinet size may not exceed 28 ministers. From this, the BJP would offer 6-8 posts to Sena, or, at the most,
Will BJP be able to form a stable govt with NCP support?
The BJP doesn't think so. A party leader dna spoke to was apprehensive about the likely fallout if the party ditched the Sena and propped up a government with the NCP's outside support. "The NCP may put pressure on the minority government to go soft on corruption cases against its leaders and may even withdraw support a year or two from now, forcing mid-term polls," he said.
What's the BJP stand on Sena now?
BJP leaders say the Sena should not put any pre-condition for supporting the government. Party sources also told dna that it has decided to go for oath-taking with 4-5 ministers, including the chief minister. BJP leaders say they've not forgotten the way Uddhav Thackery has insulted Modi during campaign.
Has the BJP written off the Sena entirely?
No. According to BJP state core committee leader Vinod Tawde, the BJP is still ready form a government in alliance with the Shiv Sena. "We are willing to join hands with the Sena, but they should come forward without placing conditions," Tawde said. All BJP MLAs will be in Mumbai on October 28 to discuss government formation, he said.
Why was the BJP legislature party meet deferred?
The legislature party meeting to elect a new leader was deferred for two reasons. One, till such time as there is no clarity on the alliance, a decision on the CM candidate cannot be finalised. Also, within BJP itself, there's no consensus on the chief ministerial candidate, with intense lobbying by the Gadkari, Fadnavis and Khadse factions for the post still continuing.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}