The Shiv Sena, in its desperate attempts at having the CM post has now piggybacked on Congress-NCP in its haste to form an alliance government in Maharashtra. In its desperation to grab a chunk of power, the Sena has now reportedly agreed to sell its ideologies for the Chief Ministership.
In the first step taken by the three parties towards the formation of a government, leaders of the Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena have finalised a 40-point common minimum programme (CMP) after meeting in Mumbai on Thursday. The draft version of the CMP will be sent to the party chiefs, who are expected to meet over the weekend before a final blueprint is expected by November 19, according to reports.
According to a report in Jansatta, Shiv Sena has given its go-ahead to the Congress-NCP alliance to bring back the 5 per cent reservations for Muslim as part of the common minimum programme in Maharashtra if the trio goes ahead to form the government in the state. If sources are to be believed, Sena has also allegedly taken a backstep on its demand to accord Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, upon Veer Savarkar, on whose ideology Shiv Sena has been formed.
Interestingly, the 5% Muslim reservation which the Sena has conceded to, was scrapped by the BJP-Sena government when they had assumed power in the state in 2014.
Moreover, backing down on the demand for a Bharat Ratna for Veer Savarkar will also be a major U-turn for the Sena as Uddhav Thackeray had just two months back, made the demand over grandiose statements.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, Sena’s leader Sanjay Raut said it was high time the NDA Government honoured Savarkar with the highest civilian award so as to “rectify the mistakes” of earlier governments. Raut had showered praises on the Hindutva ideologue for his pro-Independence activities and urged PM Modi to respect the emotions of countrymen by honouring Savarkar.
Apart from these, other proposals, like waiving farm loan completely, conducting a review of the crop loan scheme, strengthening agriculture produce market committees etc will also be a part of the coalition government’s agenda.
Shiv Sena and BJP contested the recently-held assembly elections together but failed to reach an agreement for government formation. The Shiv Sena’s demand of 50-50 government formula, asking for the chief minister’s post of two and half years was not accepted by the BJP. Following which, attempts are on by the Shiv Sena to forge an alliance with NCP and Congress.
President’s Rule was imposed in the state on Thursday after Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s report to Centre that no stable government was possible in Maharashtra under the current political scenario.
