Amid alliance speculations\, Fadnavis calls on Uddhav

Other State

Amid alliance speculations, Fadnavis calls on Uddhav

more-in

Shiv Sena will want role of a big brother in State: Sanjay Raut

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a meeting with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday evening to discuss the possibility of alliance in the Lok Sabha elections. Later, talking to reporters Mr. Fadnavis said that the talks were positive.

“Today, I met Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at his residence. We held discussion about our alliance in the polls and the talks were positive. The Sena has certain suggestions regarding issues of farmers and we are ready to accept those. The talks will continue,” Mr. Fadnavis said.

This is for the first time in recent times that Mr. Fadnavis has publicly acknowledged meeting Mr. Thackeray for talks on seat sharing. The meeting comes on a day when Sena’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut made a statement about CM post being given to Sena, if Prime Minister’s post was to go to BJP.

Hinting a possible climb down from its earlier position, Shiv Sena on Thursday said that allies should get the Chief Ministerial post in their respective states if a BJP-led NDA government is formed at the Centre after the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking to a news agency, Mr. Raut said on Thursday, “There is no change in the stand of Shiv Sena on fighting the Lok Sabha polls alone and that talk of an alliance with BJP is only media speculation.”

Mr. Raut said if a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is formed in 2019, Shiv Sena, Akali Dal and other major allies will have a role. “All the allies of the NDA are strong in their states and if you (BJP) want to have an alliance with them at the Centre, the Chief Minister in that state should be from that ally,” he said.

Mr. Raut said this is his party’s stand and not a condition. “We have already said that the next Chief Minister in Maharashtra will be from Shiv Sena and this has nothing to do with an alliance. If in future, there are discussions on an alliance we will want implementation of the 1995 formula as per which Shiv Sena will have the role of a big brother in Maharashtra whereas we will reciprocate similar support to BJP at the Centre,” he added.

Next Story