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BJP hints at thaw in relations with Shiv Sena

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Chandrakantdada Patil
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In an indication of a thaw in the Shiv Sena-BJP relations, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and PWD Minister Chandrakantdada Patil claimed their former ally will be accommodated in the cabinet reshuffle due soon. Senior Sena leaders, however, claimed the party was not in formal talks with the BJP, and admitted chances of them being taken along in the government were dim.

What were CM's words?
Speaking in New Delhi on Saturday, Fadnavis, whose government was almost put on notice by the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, which has offered unconditional support, said he was "hopeful" of taking the Sena along in the minority government. Pawar had later claimed his remarks asking party workers to prepare for mid-term polls were misinterpreted.

"We have been saying this yesterday, today and (will say it) tomorrow, we have been together for 25 years. We wanted to keep our alliance with the Shiv Sena before and after the polls," said Fadnavis, though he evaded questions on power-sharing talks with the Sena.

How was Patil's response?
In Kolhapur, Patil was more forthcoming. "Though the BJP government in the state is not unstable, we want to take the Shiv Sena along... The BJP is eager to run the government with the Sena and positive talks are underway," he said, adding that the Sena will be accommodated in the expansion.

Is Sena aware of BJP move?
Sena sources, however, admitted that a breakthrough in their relations with the BJP could be far away. "Basically, it is the BJP which has to take a call on including us in the government. They need to think seriously on the issue," said a senior Sena leader, adding that the BJP had spurned previous overtures by the party. He said formal talks between the two was yet to resume.

Who in BJP can take a call?
"We have already taken over as the principal opposition party and accepted the post of the leader of the opposition. Joining the government now will look bad," said the Sena leader, while admitting to a dilemma in the party. "BJP leaders (from Maharashtra) may make statements on taking the Sena along. But, do they have the authority to decide on the issue?" he questioned, pointing to how prime minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah were the final arbiters on the matter.

How Sena cadres feel about the issue?
Sena insiders admitted to a vertical split in the organisation over joining a BJP-led government. While some legislators and leaders were eager to become ministers, many Sainiks want the party to sit in the opposition. They were also upset at the Sena's "humiliation" by its former junior ally. Sena's sole minister in the Modi cabinet Anant Geete said his party chief Uddhav Thackeray was eager on the party joining hands with the BJP.

Saamna praises government
On Saturday, an editorial in the Sena mouthpiece Saamna, praised the Fadnavis government for its plans to perform the ground-breaking ceremony of warrior-king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue and memorial in the Arabian Sea.

Meanwhile, Uddhav expressed his support to the agitation of villagers from Rajapur taluka in Ratnagiri who are ranged against the proposed 10,000 MW Jaitapur nuclear power project. The BJP is in favour of the greenfield power project, the largest such nuclear facility in India.

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