Published 18:57 IST, November 13th 2019
Amit Shah contradicts Uddhav Thackeray, says 'Sena CM' a new demand
Home Minister Amit Shah broke his silence on the collapse of BJP’s alliance with Shiv Sena for the first time, asserting that BJP had not betrayed the mandate.
Breaking his silence on the collapse of BJP’s alliance with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra for the first time, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the BJP had not betrayed the mandate as it was ready to form the government with the Sena in the state. He stated that no one in the Sena objected when he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly asserted in public about Devendra Fadnavis being the Chief Ministerial candidate of the alliance. Shah revealed that Shiv Sena leaders came up with new demands post the declaration of results. He maintained that these demands were not acceptable to the BJP. Earlier, on Tuesday, the state of Maharashtra plunged into a political vacuum after the proclamation of President’s Rule in the state.
Here are Amit Shah's remarks on collapse of alliance with Shiv Sena:
On whether the BJP had agreed for a rotational CM, Shah remarked, "It is not the culture of my party to make public what was discussed in a closed room. And it should not be done also. Because there is a morality in public life." He added, "We have not betrayed the mandate. We were ready to form the government with Shiv Sena. But Shiv Sena put forth some demands which we cannot fulfill. In public meetings, I must have said nearly 100 times, even the Prime Minister must have said several times and Devendra Fadnavis himself said that if our alliance comes back to power, the Chief Minister will be Devendra Fadnavis. No one contradicted this. Now, when new conditions are put forward, we have our reservations. The party will take a stand on this at the right time. But I want to say only this. That the uproar over the imposition of President's Rule is a futile exercise to gain the sympathy of the people."
(With ANI inputs)
Updated 19:39 IST, November 13th 2019