Amid Shiv Sena-BJP tussle, new options to form government may emerge

After the current Chief Minister of Maharashtra and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis stated there will be no change in stance over the position of the Chief Minister with Shiv Sena, former CM Prithviraj Chavan said the Congress would consider Shiv Sena if a proposal came their way. In the present scenario, there are two most likely options in the formation of the Maharashtra government, one being either the BJP goes ahead and forms a minority government as the party had done in 2014 and test the waters when the floor tests happen. The second scenario being Shiv Sena aligning itself with the NCP-Congress alliance and in turn, creating a new option for governance in the state.  

READ | Amit Shah To Visit Mumbai On Fri-Sat Amid BJP-Shiv Sena Maha Deadlock

NCP is less likely to support BJP in any way

In 2014, when all the four major parties namely BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP contested separately and BJP had emerged victorious as the single largest party with 122 seats in 288 members. The BJP had gone on to form a minority government at the time and during the floor test in November 2014 the NCP had walked out which enabled Fadnavis’s government to pass the floor test with ease. Soon after, the Shiv Sena aligned themselves with the BJP and formed the government. Now in 2019, the scenario is strikingly similar with the BJP again emerging as  the single largest party with 105 MLAs, but this time they contested in a pre-poll alliance with Shiv Sena which got 55 seats and is demanding for an equal share in government with the rotation of the Chief Minister's post between them and BJP for 2.5 years each. If BJP decides to go ahead and form a minority government without Shiv Sena unlike 2014, NCP is less likely to support BJP in any way.

READ | Sena Issues Ultimatum To BJP: 'No Govt Till 50:50 Formula For CM Post'

NCP makes it clear

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel have made it abundantly clear that they are not interested in government formation and are content with the role of opposition. Shiv Sena reaching out to the Congress and NCP for outside support or joining Shiv Sena-led government is another more likely option. Here again, the NCP has previously shown reluctance Whereas, Congress leaders have clearly stated on at least three occasions that they will consider to support Shiv Sena Chief Minister if any formal proposal comes from their side. 

Shiv Sena cancels a scheduled meeting with BJP

On Wednesday, CM  Devendra Fadnavis asserted that he would continue to hold the chief minister's chair, dismissing the 50:50 formula talks between the two parties. Fadnavis on Tuesday reportedly stated that the BJP does not give importance to what Raut had said, who been consistently attacking its ally BJP. On Tuesday, Raut when questioned over the delay in government formation despite a pre-poll alliance, responded saying  "There is no Dushyant (Chautala) here whose father is in jail. Here it's us who do politics of 'dharma and satya' (ethics and truth) Sharad (Pawar) who created an environment against BJP and the Congress who will never go with BJP". Shortly after the public spat, Shiv Sena cancelled a scheduled meeting with BJP on Tuesday, October 29.

READ | Tiger With Clock Sniffs Lotus In Shiv Sena's Party Symbol-filled Post

Amit Shah to visit Mumbai 

BJP president and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit Mumbai on Friday or Saturday, as per sources. Sources added that the final decision on the formation of the new government and the portfolio sharing between the saffron allies will be taken only during Shah's visit. Meanwhile, a meeting between BJP and Shiv Sena will be held on Wednesday at 1 PM, as shared by BJP state chief Chandrakant Patil.

READ | Sharad Pawar: Our Policy Remains Unchanged, Won't Ally With Shiv Sena

(INPUTS FROM ANI)