Shiv Sena was down in the dumps for over a week with political analysts lambasting it for lack of political wisdom. But the saffron party's (read Sena) last ploy to join the BJP-led government seems to have hit the bullseye.
With the Bharatiya Janata Party's not responding to the Sena's lowest offer of swearing in at least two of its MLAs as ministers on Friday, the Sena leadership conveyed to the BJP late on Thursday night that the party was not boycotting the grand function. Of course, it threw in a rider. The Sena said that if the BJP refused to budge, it would not hesitate to announce its leader of the opposition immediately after Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as chief minister.
Got Blessed by My Mother yesterday before taking Oath as CM of #Maharashtra . Feeling Inspired on 1st day of working. http://ift.tt/1znG7WR
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) November 1, 2014 With the BJP realizing that the Sena had made up its mind to sit in the opposition in the Assembly, forcing the BJP to bargain with independents and take the NCP's unconditional support, the BJP leadership blinked and decided to reach out to the Sena. Five phone calls were made to Matoshree within a span of five hours on Friday afternoon. The CM-designate, Devendra Fadnavis, himself called up Uddhav thrice, asking him to attend the swearing-in. In an emotional pitch, he even told Uddhav to attend the oath-taking as it was Balasaheb's dream to see their government.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW @Dev_Fadnavis: Normally I am very soft, but in administration, I will be ruthless http://t.co/EMXwtYfcbW
— Times of India (@timesofindia) November 1, 2014 Uddhav, incidentally, had even finalized the name of Ravindra Waikar's for the post of leader of the opposition.
The Sena had announced on Thursday night that due to repeated humiliation by the BJP, it would not attend the swearing-in. With Uddhav not budging, BJP president Amit Shah called on him followed by a call from Union finance minister Arun Jaitley. Shah repeatedly told Uddhav that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, wanted Uddhav at Wankhede, adding that the Sena would be given a share in the government and every single issue would be sorted out. Shah even promised to give the Sena a positive deal.
Took Blessings of Hon'ble Union Minister @nitin_gadkari ji earlier today at his residence in #Delhi . http://ift.tt/1pe6hbw
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) October 30, 2014 With the Sena's ploy working and the BJP back at the talks table, the Sena leadership, which has been under pressure from a section within to join the government, took a step back.Uddhav and his wife Rashmi reached Wankhede just in time for the swearing-in. Soon after the function was over, Uddhav met Shah for a brief period.
"Things are going fine so far. We will tell you the rest later," Uddhav said after the meeting.
Sharing some glimpses of events that took place on 28th Oct '14. (8/8) http://ift.tt/1pe6iw1
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) October 29, 2014 According to Sena insiders, the party has clearly told the BJP that its share in the government should be based on a 2:1 ratio.It also wanted the BJP to make a public statement, saying the Sena would be part of the government. "We want a reasonable deal of at least one-third share in the government. We have asked the BJP to agree to it publicly. We will wait till November 10 while carrying on talks with them. If they do not agree to our terms, we will vote against them in the House on November 10. They will be forced to take the NCP's support which we think they can ill afford now," said a senior leader, who was part of the Sena's last minute strategy session.
READ ALSO: 'Humiliated' Shiv Sena to boycott Fadnavis's swearing-in ceremony
However, it is learnt that the party has given up its demand for the posts of deputy chief minister and Speaker following a stern no from the BJP.
Uddhav had convened a series of meetings with several leaders since Tuesday and many of them told him that the Sena should sit in the opposition and take the BJP head on."Uddhavji's confidence grew after we told him that we will sit in the opposition. Though a section of leaders said the party would then split, we rejected that sentiment. After failing to negotiate with the BJP for a week, our last attempt has been successful. We hope to be in power and then revive the party. However, if the BJP does not come forward, we will sit in the opposition," said a senior Sena leader with an air of nonchalance.
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