Uddhav Thackeray meets 2 independent MLAs amid 50:50 ultimatum to BJP

Even as the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra swept the assembly polls, Shiv Sena has given an ultimatum to BJP to follow the 50:50 formula. Amid talks to share the chief ministerial berth, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has met two independent MLAs Ashish Jaiswal and Narendra Bhondekar on Saturday at his residence 'Matoshree' in Mumbai. After the meeting, Sena claimed that the two independent candidates have offered their support to the party.

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While Jaiswal has won the Independence from Ramtek constituency in Nagpur, Bhondekar emerged victorious from Bhandara constituency as an independent. However, quoting a top source from the BJP, news agency ANI claimed that Bhandara has also met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and offered support to the BJP. Meanwhile, another Mahayuti alliance partner RPI's Ramdas Athawale has demanded one cabinet and one State minister berth in Maharashtra government.

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Shiv Sena's ultimatum 

Shiv Sena on Saturday has issued an ultimatum to BJP stating that party chief Amit Shah and CM Devendra Fadnavis should issue a written statement assuring that the CM post will be shared equally for 2.5 years each. Speaking to reporters outside Matoshree, Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik has said that Uddhav Thackeray is of the opinion that the 50:50 formula promised by BJP prior to the polls, as discussed in the party's legislative meeting on Saturday. Sena MLAs has been demanding for Aaditya Thackeray to be made the CM.

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Poll results in Maharashtra 

The saffron alliance swept Maharashtra on Thursday, winning a combined tally of 161 (BJP- 105, Sena -56) to award CM Devendra Fadnavis a second term. But the comeback of the 'Maha- Agadhi' alliance (NCP-Congress) took the Mahayuti by surprise as the NCP bagged 54 seats while the languishing Congress too bagged 44 seats. Though the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance will form the next government, it was handed a diminished mandate compared to 2014 where it won 185 seats.

(with ANI inputs)

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