In the latest editorial published on Saamana, Shiv Sena took a jibe at the Maharashtra chief minister candidate Devendra Fadnavis by calling him an ‘outgoing chief minister’. Known for its mordant critique, the article on Saamana asserted that Fadnavis was at “loss of words” after his recently concluded meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The article also held a dim view of the worsening environmental conditions in Delhi. Referring to the meeting between Amit Shah and Devendra Fadnavis held in Delhi, the Sena mouthpiece took a swipe at Fadnavis saying that “he is trying to procure lifeline from a state where people are wearing masks to survive”. In a clear dig, the editorial mentioned that getting a “majority in Maharashtra is akin to getting a plane to land in Delhi in zero visibility”.
“The outgoing chief minister, who came back to Maharashtra from the polluted Delhi, will have to take the next step forward. The step taken by him will determine the future course of action,” the article read. However, it also contended that in the next 5-6 days, there will be better clarity on whose is forming the government in the state.
Devendra Fadnavis had gone to Delhi to meet Amit Shah and discuss the impasse that has hit the state of Maharashtra amidst the tussle between the BJP and Shiv Sena over the post of Chief Minister. Following his meeting Shah, Fadnavis assured that a BJP government will be formed in the state and he will take the oath as the Chief Minister of the state.
The political parties- Shiv Sena and the BJP have been alliance partners for about 30 years and contested the Maharashtra Assembly elections jointly. Ever since the results came out on October 24, the two allies have been constantly squabbling over the power sharing formula and chief ministerial post. While the larger party of the coalition-the BJP has been adamant on continuing with Devendra Fadnavis as the state’s chief minister, the Sena has been insistent on adhering to what it says a prepoll agreement of 50-50 formula. The Sena claims that according to 50-50 formula agreed upon by the BJP, both the parties will have a chief minister for two and a half years each. However, Fadnavis has refuted saying no such agreement was deliberated.
The Sena has today written to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat seeking his intervention to end the current imbroglio with the BJP. This request has come after RSS accused Sena of “faking innocence” in its power struggle with the BJP. The letter was written by one of the advisors of Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray in which he urged Bhagwat to end the rift between the two alliance partners. He has specifically requested Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to placate the two sparring parties by brokering a deal between them. Earlier today, RSS had slammed both the BJP and the Sena, describing them as “Vikram and Betal” and asserted that they should think about the people of Maharashtra.
