Fadnavis chairs meeting with Sena chief, promises better co-ordination

MUMBAI: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday stayed true on his promise of addressing complaints of Sena legislators by holding a meeting along with Sena chief

MUMBAI: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday stayed true on his promise of addressing complaints of Sena legislators by holding a meeting along with Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at his official residence Varsha, late on Monday night.

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The meeting as well as presence of Thackeray and Fadnavis together is rare, given the recent history of the sparring saffron allies. It indicates that both the parties are looking at a middle ground ahead of the mini assembly polls in the state that will kick start from October 2016.

The meeting also comes in the backdrop of serious tussle between the allies over the issue of Vidarbha in the recently concluded state legislature.

Sources told HT that at the meeting it was decided that legislators concerns would be better addressed by the government with both the parties forming working groups to address specific issues.

“Fadnavis chaired the meeting. He promised us that such meetings to address legislators concerns would be held every three months. We plan to also set up working groups of legislators from both the parties on issues like say agriculture, ongoing water conservation policies, urban infrastructure,’’ said a Sena minister.

Recently, Sena legislators had complained that despite having their government in power, their concerns and issues were not been addressed. Thackeray had then also issued a veiled threat that his party was not keen on staying in power just for the sake of it.

Sources close to the CM said that Fadnavis was keen on keeping relations with Sena intact to ensure smooth sailing for his government until 2019. As the civic polls season draws near there is likely to be renewed bitter tussle between BJP and Sena especially over the control of the Mumbai civic body.