BJP asks for unconditional support from Sena

Hardening its stand further, the BJP told Sena to drop all its unwarranted conditions and unreasonable demands if it wished to participate in the BJP-led government that will take oath of office on October 30.

Hardening its stand further, the BJP on Sunday told the Shiv Sena to drop all its unwarranted conditions and unreasonable demands if it wished to participate in the BJP-led government that will take oath of office on October 30.

Vinod Tawde, member of the BJP’s core committee, told media persons that his party would join hands with Sena only if it doesn’t bring any conditions on the table.

“The Sena should join us by heart,” he said, in response to Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar’s statement that the state BJP leaders did not want his party to join the alliance government.

The BJP is all set to form a minority government instead of giving the Sena a big share of cabinet berths and important departments. But Tawde said the numbers were not an issue.

“We can discuss the matter further (if the Sena is serious and unconditional in its approach),” he said, adding that the people of Maharashtra wanted a government that could deliver efficiently.

According to Tawde, the BJP’s legislative party, including members of both houses and members of Parliament would elect their leader on Tuesday. State party president Devendra Fadnavis is the top contender for the post of CM who also enjoys backing from the party brass. His selection would be a mere formality, said sources.

Central observers, union home minister Rajnath Singh, party general secretary (state in-charge) JP Nadda, state poll in-charge OP Mathur and former state in-charge general secretary Rajeev Pratap Rudy will attend the meeting, to be held from 11 am at the Vidhan Bhavan.

The Sena had earlier sought 14 berths, but later scaled down its demand to 10. However, the BJP is not willing to give Sena more than five berths, said sources.