As the decks were cleared for Devendra Fadnavis to be the next chief minister of Maharashtra on Tuesday, his list of to-do-things before proving majority has become a little longer.
Besides addressing the sensitivities of his own party MLAs before finalizing the portfolios, he has to deal with six independent MLAs as well those who have put forth their demand of ministerial berths in lieu of supporting the government.
The group of six independents led by Badnera MLA Ravi Rana submitted their charter of demands to Fadnavis when they visited him Tuesday evening to congratulate him. They sought time on Wednesday morning from Fadnavis to ink the deal before October 31.
The group which decided to back the government was formed on Monday night . Incidentally, the same morning, the independent MLAs were in talks with few small parties to forge an alliance and remain neutral. But they probably had a change of heart as BJP has yet not opened its card on support of Shiv Sena.
Ravi Rana told dna, “We will be meeting with Fadnavis on Wednesday with our demands of one cabinet minister's post, two ministers of state, and four chairmanships of state-run corporations with either cabinet or minister-of-state rank. Since, our support is must for a stable government, we are sure that our demands would be met.”
Following of PM Narendra Modi’s mantra, the state BJP had already decided to have a slim cabinet. Considering the situation when BJP may have to allocate few berths to Shiv Sena — should it support the government — addressing the sensitivities of independent allies would not be an easy job for the young CM who has to handle multiple issues in the next 18 days.
While Fadnavis couldn’t be contacted, Madhav Bhandari, the BJP spokesperson said, “We would discuss the matter and come out with a solution.”
The group comprises of Shirish Chaudhari from Amalner, Vinayak Patil from Ahmedpur, Mohan Phad from Pathri, Mahesh Landge from Bhosari, Baliram Shiraskar from Balapur, and Ganpat Gaikwad from Kalyan (east).
Seven independents got elected in the polls. Of them only Achalpur MLA Bachchu Kadu is not the part of this pressure group.
){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}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}