We have been partners for 25 years, minor conflicts before polls can't finish it off: Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde

Has Shiv Sena softened its month-long stand over the deputy chief minister and home minister's posts and the 2:1 power-sharing formula and accepted 12 ministerial berths in order to join the government?

I can't deliberate on this matter as it being dealt by our party chief Uddhav Thackeray.

But now that it's clear that you are joining the government, how would you justify this pact, especially after such a bitter break-up and a vicious poll campaign, where you targeted BJP leaders more than the leaders of other parties?
We have been partners for 25 years and essence of that long-cherished relationship can't be finished off with minor conflicts or bitterness during polls.

What is the political compulsion before you to join BJP after so much compromise? It sends the message that Sena is power-hungry, doesn't it?
Sena and BJP are natural allies, our party is joining for a stable government and betterment of the people of Maharashtra.

Don't you think with this confusing posture Sena is making fun of itself among supporters and party workers?
First of all, our alliance with BJP is yet be announced. And second, all decisions in the party are taken by our leader Uddhav Thackeray. We will just abide by whatever he decides.

Questions are being raised about Uddhav Thackeray's decision-making skills, mainly because he failed to ink the deal before poll and even post-poll despite prolonged discussions.

That is wrong perception. If he has not been decisive, why would senior BJP leaders visit him at all?
It has been widely reported that many Sena MLAs would join BJP if power-sharing fails. Is this the real reason for the alliance? And also, don't you think it indicates towards weak leadership and a decline in Sainiks' loyalty quotient?

This is all untrue. No one is leaving the party for the sake of power. In fact, members of other parties have also joined Sena during elections. Besides, under Uddhavji's leadership, we bagged 63 assembly seats from the earlier 45. This shows Sena's strength and Uddhavji clout in the party.

When will you resign as leader of opposition?
I will continue to discharge my duty as LOP until party president orders me otherwise. I have visited Vidarbha and Marathwada in the past few days to understand the drought situation. As the leader of opposition, I have demanded that government help drought-affected farmers from its own pocket until Centre approves drought package. Farmers are committing suicide everyday because of loss of crop, huge power bills and loans. They have not yet got their crop insurance money. You can't just sit and wait for central funds to arrive.

What is your short-term and long-term suggestion to the government on the drought issue?
Government must provide at least Rs25,000 per hectare immediately to all farmers in Vidarbha and Marathwada while also giving relief in power bills. Incomplete small dams must be finished on a war footing. A comprehensive approach to complete the big dams, which were marred in corruption, is the long-term solution.

BJP leaders say your tour was a pressure tactic to push BJP to ink the power-sharing deal.
We have always been working for the farmers and will continue to do so.

Critics say Sena is making a mistake by joining BJP as it could have grown further as the main opposition party; sharing power will, in fact, help BJP to grow in Maharashtra. What is your assessment?
Different views are emerging from different quarters. It is not possible to get 100% consensus from all our supporters and well-wishers in any situation.

But you will have to compromise with your aggression and assertion if you join the government on BJP's terms.

We have been aggressive towards issues of people. Our stand will continue even if we join the government.