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Regrets, Only. Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray To Skip Swearing-In, Say Sources
When the BJP's first government in Maharashtra is sworn in tomorrow,
former ally Shiv Sena will be confined to the role of spectator. "No
Shiv Sena leader will be inducted," said BJP General Secretary Rajiv
Pratap Rudy today, though he added that negotiations continue for a
possible reunion.
The BJP has planned a mega-inauguration for a mini-cabinet headed by Devendra Fadnavis as Chief Minister. The Sena and the BJP cut a 25-year alliance ahead of the election, with the Sena bearing monumental costs for the split. The BJP accrued its best-ever result, and though the Sena placed second, it has been filched of the chance to play king-maker
The BJP has planned a mega-inauguration for a mini-cabinet headed by Devendra Fadnavis as Chief Minister. The Sena and the BJP cut a 25-year alliance ahead of the election, with the Sena bearing monumental costs for the split. The BJP accrued its best-ever result, and though the Sena placed second, it has been filched of the chance to play king-maker
The BJP has resolutely refused to hit the gas pedal in the negotiations
for a reunion, not least to exact revenge for a vicious campaign that
saw its top leaders being pilloried by Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.
This evening, sources said Mr Thackeray will skip tomorrow's inaugural;
some of his colleagues reportedly feel that their exclusion from the
first cut of the government is a public insult.
But the Shiv Sena can do little than mark its protest with a no-show. The BJP won the most seats but not a clear majority, and yet, it faces no discomfort. Sharad Pawar's party, the NCP, has said it will support a minority government; a handful of independents are also willing to align with the BJP.
That has forced the Sena to marshal uncharacteristic pliancy. Its mouthpiece had been enlisted for particularly piercing critiques of the bJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi; now, editorials offer ingratiating praise."With Narendra at the centre, and Devendra heading the state, we expect 'achche din' ahead" says a column today, citing two popular BJP slogans.
But the Shiv Sena can do little than mark its protest with a no-show. The BJP won the most seats but not a clear majority, and yet, it faces no discomfort. Sharad Pawar's party, the NCP, has said it will support a minority government; a handful of independents are also willing to align with the BJP.
That has forced the Sena to marshal uncharacteristic pliancy. Its mouthpiece had been enlisted for particularly piercing critiques of the bJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi; now, editorials offer ingratiating praise."With Narendra at the centre, and Devendra heading the state, we expect 'achche din' ahead" says a column today, citing two popular BJP slogans.
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