Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis rejects Shiv Sena's ultimatum

Mumbai, Nov 5: A day after Shiv Sena sent an ultimatum to the newly elected BJP government in Maharashtra, the state's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis rejected it on Wednesday.

According to a news report, 44-year-old Fadnavis told a news channel that "talks with Shiv Sena were going on but the cabinet expansion will only happen after the crucial trust vote".

Fadnavis-led BJP government in Maharashtra has time till Saturday, November 15 to clinch the deal.

The Shiv Sena on Tuesday made it clear it will only support the BJP government if it gives it the post of deputy CM and 10 ministerial portfolios, including five cabinet posts.

But, the BJP is in no mood to fulfill the demands of Shiv Sena.

A report said that BJP has clearly mentioned to Sena that "the deputy chief minister's post cannot be created under any circumstances and that Sena will not get more than eight portfolios, including four cabinet posts."

In case, if BJP doesn't send formal proposal to Sena, then it has decided to elect its legislature party leader who will then be the leader of the opposition.

Sena has been insisting on following the 1995 formula under which BJP, being the junior partner, had got Deputy Chief Minister's post, in the first coalition government formed by the two saffron parties.

OneIndia News