Maharashtra power tussle: Shiv Sena claims support of 7 more MLAs

Shiv Sena (SS) on Wednesday claimed that it had the support of 7 more MLAs apart from its own strength of 56. According to the list issued by the media and communication department of SS, 4 Independents- Manjula Gavit, Chandrakant Patil, Ashish Jaiswal, and Narendra Bhondekar had extended support to the party. Moreover, the Prahar Janshakti Party’s Bachchu Kadu and Rajkumar Patel and Shankarrao Gadakh of the Krantikari Shetkari Party have also offered their support. Earlier on Wednesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was elected as the leader of BJP Legislative Party.  

Read: Shiv Sena Cancels BJP Meet As Fadnavis Denies Sharing Of CM's Post

'Mandate is surely for Mahayuti'

On this occasion, Fadnavis struck a cordial note as he maintained that people had voted in the 2019 Assembly polls for the ‘Mahayuti’ (BJP-SS alliance). He promised that only the ‘Mahayuti’ would form the government in Maharashtra. These remarks come at a juncture when talks between both parties have been stuck due to the SS claim over the CM post. SS has sought the CM’s post for two and a half years apart from important portfolios.  

Read: Rakesh Sinha: 'Shiv Sena Is A Different Party With Their Own Views'

Fadnavis said, "This mandate is surely for 'Mahayuti' (BJP-Shiv Sena alliance) as we sought votes for 'Mahayuti'. People also voted for it. So, there should be no doubt that it will be a 'Mahayuti' govt."  

Read: Shiv Sena Unyielding On 50:50 After BJP's 13-26 Cabinet Offer: Sources

Maharashtra election

The BJP secured 105 seats in the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, while its alliance partner SS bagged 56 seats. However, BJP fell 17 seats short of its 2014 election tally, which was below its expectations. Since the declaration of results, both BJP and SS have been welcoming the support of Independents to leverage their individual positions. Fadnavis has already announced that BJP was expecting the backing of a majority of the Independents and smaller parties. The widening of the rift was indicated by the two allies meeting the Governor separately on Monday. SS is likely to hold the meeting of its Legislative Party on Thursday.  

(With ANI inputs)

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