Mumbai: Indicating at possible rapprochement, Shiv Sena said its MPs would attend the dinner to be hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for NDA allies, and that “objective” of both the Sena and BJP was to provide a stable government in Maharashtra.
We were asked by (Sena chief) Uddhav Thackeray to meet BJP leaders in Delhi and talks were very positive. Maharashtra has given both parties a good mandate as it wants a stable government, and keeping the sentiments of the people in mind we will definitely provide Maharashtra a stable government,” senior Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai said here.
Desai had met BJP leader in Delhi along with fellow Sena leader Subhash Desai. Only preliminary discussions were held, he added.
“The good part is that talks began in this auspicious period. We came back as everybody had to return to celebrate Diwali. We will sit together once again on Monday and decide how we can respect the mandate people have given both the parties,” Desai said.
Asked if Sena MPs will attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Diwali dinner for NDA allies in Delhi on October 26, Desai said, “Modi has organised this dinner for all the NDA allies where he will be putting forth new ideas… Sena has received an invitation and all our MPs will be attend it.”
He, however, evaded the question whether Uddhav Thackeray will attend the dinner.
Asked about media reports that Sena was demanding the Deputy Chief Minister’s post and several key portfolios for joining the government in Maharashtra, Desai said the only objective of both parties was to provide a stable government.
“People opted to root out the Congress-NCP and gave us a total of 185 seats. We have been together for 25 years… Whatever happened, happened. Our only aim now is to make Maharashtra the number one state in India. We have not submitted any proposal or demanded ministerial berths. This is nothing but the media’s imagination,” Desai said.
The Shiv Sena may support a Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Maharashtra, a top Sena leader said here on Thursday.
“The election results indicate that no single party can form the government. However, both (Shiv Sena, BJP) can come together for the purpose.
This is the people’s mandate,” Shiv Sena parliamentarian and emissary Anil Desai told a private television channel.
The two parties are expected to start discussions on forming the government Monday, he said.On the issue of the chief minister, Desai said since the Bharatiya Janata Party has secured more seats, it would be their decision. But other things would be discussed by the two parties, he added.
In the 288-member assembly, the BJP and allies secured 123 seats, the Shiv Sena got 63, Congress managed 42, the NCP won 41 and the remaining seats were bagged by either Independents or smaller and regional parties.
A party needs 145 seats for simple majority in the state Assembly
