Amid tussle for the CM post, Fadnavis and ShivSena leader meet Governor separately

ShivSena and BJP said it was a formal meeting on occasion of Deepavali, but sources say that both of them spoke informally about the formation of the government.

Mumbai| After the results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the tussle has begun between the BJP and the ShivSena for the post of Chief Minister. Since the morning, the ShivSena and BJP started the race for the Governor’s House. Earlier, ShivSena leader Diwakar Raote arrived to meet Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. CM Devendra Fadnavis also arrived at the Governor’s residence shortly after that.

Both parties have called this meeting a formal meeting on the occasion of Deepavali, but sources say that during this time, both of them spoke informally about the formation of the government.

मा. राज्यपाल श्री भगत सिंह कोश्यारीजी यांची आज सकाळी राजभवन, मुंबई येथे भेट घेऊन दिवाळीनिमित्त त्यांना शुभेच्छा दिल्या. राज्यातील सद्यस्थितीची माहिती त्यांना यावेळी दिली. #Diwali pic.twitter.com/w6V7pDt3y7

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) October 28, 2019

Shiv Sena has been talking about the post of CM for two and a half years since the BJP got fewer seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2019 than in 2014. However, the BJP says that after winning 105 seats, it cannot share CM post with the Shiv Sena.

I came to give #Diwali wishes, there were no political talks: Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote (@DRaote) after meeting Governor#MaharashtraAssemblyPolls pic.twitter.com/diyWuYqazS

— Mirror Now (@MirrorNow) October 28, 2019

A senior BJP leader said, “There is no agenda for the meeting yet, but obviously there will be a discussion about the formation of the government.” The Chief Minister will inform the Governor about the current political situation in the state and discuss the formation of the next government. Raote on behalf of the ShivSena will also inform the Governor about his party’s stance and the decision taken in the meeting of the MLA.

Shiv Sena on 50:50 formula for CM post

On Saturday, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had asked the BJP for a written assurance on the 50:50 formula. The formula also includes sharing of the post of Chief Minister for two and a half years between the two parties. In fact, before the election results, it was believed that the BJP would, on its own, win the required 145 seats for the majority. However, after the election, the situation is now clear that the BJP cannot form a government on its own and will need the support of the Shiv Sena and independents.