Maharashtra: Shiv Sena in talks with RSS to resolve stalemate?

Mumbai, Nov 17: As talks between estranged allies Shiv Sena and BJP failed, speculations are rife that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP's parent organisation, will now resolve the deadlock between the two in Maharashtra.

As per an ET report, peace could finally prevail between former allies in Maharashtra as RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat may try and attempt to bring both parties together to bolster the Hindutva plank in the state.

Reports claimed that the Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray spoke to Bhagwat over phone four times in the last few days. Thackeray has reportedly asked Bhagwat to resolve the deadlock as his party still wants to be a part of the Maharashtra government.

"The first call was made after the trust vote on November 12," a senior Sena leader was quoted by the news daily as saying.

There is a possibility that the two will meet on Monday to take up the matter forward. Sena sources are also of the view that the talks between the two were positive and that the Sena may become a part of the Devendra Fadnavis government before November 22.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis still is not averse to Sena joining the government and claimed that talks with the latter would always be welcome.

"We have always stated that the BJP is willing for negotiations with the Sena," he was quoted by a TOI report.

The Devendra Fadnavis government had on last Wednesday won a contentious trust vote in the state Assembly amid dramatic protests by the Opposition, including Shiv Sena and Congress. A miffed Shiv Sena had also sought the status of principal opposition party in the Assembly, as BJP did not pay heed to its demand over power sharing.

After BJP won the trust vote with voice vote in Maharashtra Assembly, Shiv Sena had alleged the BJP of betraying people's trust.

"It has been alleged that some people tried to heckle the Governor following which he got injured. It is surprising that inspite of being injured he could walk in and give a long speech. We could not see any sign of injuries on him that day. Inspite of this, five Congress MLAs were suspended on false charges," Sena said today in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

"Running the government is not a child's play. Even if you get power in your hand, you cannot suspend MLAs and (by doing this) prepare to win the next trust vote after six months. If you are trying to cheat people by doing this, remember you are digging your own grave," it added.

OneIndia News