Maha guv rejects Sena’s list of MLCs for quota

MUMBAI:  On Sunday, Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari rejected the former Maha Vikas Aghadi government’s proposal to appoint its MLCs using the governor’s quota. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde recently wrote to the Koshyari, requesting cancellation of the 12 names submitted for appointment of Members of the Legislative Council (MLC) by the former Uddhav Thackeray government.

Despite reminders, and personal meeting, Koshyari did not approve the names. The matter had also reached Bombay High Court, which said it is not authorised to direct the governor, and added that he cannot, however, sit on this list for long. 

As per sources, Shinde and BJP have decided to submit their supporters’ names for the governor quota. 
“Shinde camp and BJP will get four MLCs each. This will help the BJP to increase its tally in state legislative council and elect its own chairman for the upper house. At present, NCP’s Ramaraze Naik Nimbalkar is the chairman while Shiv Sena’s Nilam Gore is deputy chairman. 

BJP wants a majority of its members in the upper house that will help them to pass the bills. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis will soon have a meeting with leaders to finalise the name for the list. “BJP leaders like Chitra Wagh,  who missed the opportunity will be given priority. However, the final decision will be taken by the top brass,” a source said.

On the other hand, Shinde has decided to nominate his loyalists who left Thackeray to join him. “Shinde wants to induct Sena leaders who have a mass base but could not get elected in 2019. Ramdas Kadam’s name is making the rounds for nomination. The smaller parties that supported Shinde in his rebellion also want a share in the new government,” said the source.