BJP is looking at other options. What it entails?
Locked in a power tussle with ally Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is looking at other options to form government in Maharashtra. Its plan B entails repeating a trick it used in 2014 when it was faced with a somewhat similar situation.
The BJP and Shiv Sena contested the recently-held Maharashtra assembly elections together and won 105 and 56 seats, respectively. But the Shiv Sena's demand of "50-50 formula" for power-sharing has delayed the government formation.
Also Read: Locked in power tussle with Shiv Sena, BJP may pull 2014 trick again
With no end to the deadlock in sight, the BJP is looking to repeat its 2014 strategy which had worked smoothly for the saffron party.
(With inputs from Ahsan Abbas in Mumbai)
1. How BJP government was formed in 2014?
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In 2014, the two parties had contested the election separately but none of them were able to reach the majority mark of 245. However, the BJP being the single largest party with 122 MLAs in the 288-member assembly was invited to form the government.
Devendra Fadnavis was sworn-in as the first BJP Chief Minister of Maharashtra at a grand ceremony at Wankhede Stadium on October 31, 2014. This came after the NCP, which had won 41, seats offered outside support to the BJP government. The BJP did not officially accept the NCP's offer but went ahead to form the government.
Fadnavis, took the oath of office along with eight cabinet ministers and two ministers of state on October 31 as he formed a minority government.
Later on November 12, 2014, Devendra Fadnavis was able to win the trust vote with a little help from NCP MLAs who strategically abstained during the voting in Maharashtra Assembly. Fadnavis' minority government won a confidence motion in the Maharashtra Assembly through a voice vote even as Shiv Sena legislators created a ruckus in the house.
The BJP also won Speaker's post unopposed after the Shiv Sena and the Congress withdrew their candidates.
The Shiv Sena was thus kept out of the government as Fadnvais proved that he did not need its support.
Four weeks after the trust vote, the Shiv Sena joined the government December 5.
2. 2014 repeat in 2019?
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The BJP is locked in a similar power tussle with the Shiv Sena pressing for the "50-50 formula" for power-sharing. With the BJP's numbers going down to 105 this election, the Shiv Sena is negotiating for a better deal with party chief Uddhav Thackeray demanding the CM post for two and a half years.
The Shiv Sena seems adamant on its demand of sharing the Chief Minister's post, giving indications to the BJP that talks on government formation will only take place when their demands are met. The party has demanded "written assurance" from the BJP that "fifty-fifty" power-sharing deal will be respected.
While there has been no offer of support from the NCP this time, the BJP is looking to rope in Independent legislators and smaller parties to shore up its numbers. As it is the single largest party, it can stake claim to form the government. Considering that no other party is even close to reaching that number, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari may invite Fadnavis for government formation.
Sources said Fadnavis may take oath as CM on October 31, along with some other MLAs as ministers. He will get 15-day time to prove his majority in the Assembly.
This will put pressure on the Shiv Sena, sources said. The BJP will again try to talk to Sena and if the Uddhav Thackeray-led party doesn't agree to its demands, the BJP will try to prove the majority using backdoor technique and may rope in NCP's support.
If the NCP boycotts the voting in the assembly, as it did in 2014, then things will become easier for the BJP.
3. How BJP will prove majority? NCP, independents key to its plan
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If the NCP boycotts voting during the confidence motion, the strength of the assembly will come down to 235. BJP will then need 118 MLAs to vote in its favour.
In the assembly election, counting for which was held on October 24, the Congress and NCP won 44 and 54 seats, respectively. Besides, there are 13 independents.
Three Independents - Geeta Jain, Rajendra Raut and Ravi Rana - had extended support to the BJP on Sunday while Prahar Janshakti Party (PJP) of two MLAs has offered support to the Shiv Sena.
There are also several smaller parties with one, two or three MLAs. Among these, Hitendra Thakur-led Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) which won three seats is the largest. Thakur won from Vasai with the support of NCP-Congress but his meeting with Geeta Jain triggered speculations.
Two more independent MLAs - Vinod Agrawal and Mahesh Baldi - extended their support to Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday after a meeting with the Chief Minister.
4. We have other options too: Shiv Sena
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Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said his party also has other options but they are not hungry for power.
"Uddhav Thackeray ji has said that we have other options too but we don't want to do the sin of accepting that alternative. Shiv Sena has always done politics of truth, we are not hungry for power," Raut said.
When asked why it's taking time to form the government despite a pre-poll alliance with BJP, the Shiv Sena leader said there is no Dushyant here whose father is in jail, in a reference to JJP leader in Haryana, Dushyant Chautala, who extended support to the BJP.
"There is no Dushyant here whose father is in jail. Here it's us who do politics of 'dharma and satya', Sharad ji who created an environment against BJP and Congress who will never go with BJP," the senior Sena leader said.
5. 45 Sena MLAs in touch: BJP MP claims
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BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kakade claimed that 45 of the 56 Shiv Sena MLAs are in touch with the BJP
Speaking during a debate on Zee 24Tas, Kakade said, "45 of the 56 Shiv Sena MLAs are in our touch. They are calling up and requesting us to form a government and include them.
