Maharashtra BJP Chief says stable govt will soon be formed in state

The stalemate between Bhartiya Janta Party and the Shiv Sena continued for the 13th day today with neither party seeming to step back from its position to ensure formation of the stable government in the state.

With the tenure of the current assembly ending on 8th November, time is of essence and hectic political discussions are expected in two days. Amid this stalemate, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis yesterday met RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur last night in a closeted private meeting.

Amid a prolonged stand-off between the Shiv Sena and the BJP over power-sharing in Maharashtra, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis flew to Nagpur last night to meet RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

The development came hours after Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil announced in Mumbai yesterday that a BJP-led government would be formed very soon, with Fadnavis as its leader. Earlier



yesterday, Fadnavis held a meeting of BJP core team at his official residence in Mumbai.

Party sources have said the government in the state will be in place by November 9.

Maharashtra Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar yesterday hinted at a possible breakthrough in the stand-off, saying "good news" can come at any moment. Patil, who also attended the core committee meeting, said they are now waiting for a proposal from the Sena.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, however, said his party was firm on a written assurance from the senior alliance partner over power-sharing, including rotating the chief minister's post for 2.5 years.

However, BJP leader Girish Mahajan later said the party was not ready to discuss sharing of the chief minister's post with Sena, and Fadnavis will become the next chief minister.