Premium
This is an archive article published on November 9, 2014

Shiv Sena links Union berth to Maharashtra alignment

Shiv Sena also wanted to press for a deputy chief ministership, or at the very least, for Home.

anant_m Anant Geete’s attempts to meet Modi with a proposal from Uddhav went in vain.

It is not clear if Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai, the party’s nominee for induction in the Modi government, will take oath Sunday.

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, impatient due to the continuing uncertainty over the power-sharing in Maharashtra, asked Union minister Anant Geete to leave for Mumbai this evening after he failed to get an audience with Prime Minister Modi.

Geete, according to party sources, wanted to meet the PM with a fresh proposal from Uddhav to resolve the Maharashtra issue. Geete, who had been making frantic efforts to meet Modi since Friday, went to 7, Race Course Road, again Saturday evening but returned after waiting in vain.

With Desai’s fate linked to the Maharashtra matter, he may not take oath at the Cabinet revamp Sunday.

Uddhav has now said a final decision on joining the BJP government in Maharashtra will be taken by party legislators at a meeting in Mumbai to elect the leader of the Legislature Party on Sunday.

It is strange though that the Sena tried to reach out to Modi at this last minute given that the PM had chosen not to get involved in the nitty-gritty of the Maharashtra alliance.

According to sources, Uddhav wanted Geete to apprise Modi specifically of the basic Sena demands as he felt that Maharashtra BJP leaders were perhaps not as keen on a power-sharing arrangement as him.

Story continues below this ad

Geete was supposed to seek a total of 12 ministerial berths in the state for the Sena, five of Cabinet rank and the rest of minister of state.

The Sena also wanted to press for a deputy chief ministership, or at the very least, for Home. The other portfolios on its wishlist were Energy, PWD, Rural Development and Health.

Sources said that while Uddhav initially wanted the Sena nominees for ministerial berths to be sworn in before Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis secured a vote of confidence in the Maharashtra Assembly, he was prepared to settle for even an announcement of the agreed formula at a joint press conference before the vote.

Desai, who was in Mumbai till Saturday night, said: “We have hopes from the BJP. Fadnavis has himself said that he and senior BJP leaders are working on an arrangement. We are waiting for their proposal, after which Uddhav Thackeray will take the final call.”

Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports. Expertise  Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas: Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai. Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC). Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai). Trustworthiness & Credibility Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence. Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers). Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports. He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More

 

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement