Shinde, Fadnavis hold talks on Maharashtra govt with Amit Shah

Terming his move to rebel against Thackeray as a “revolution”, CM Shinde told reporters, “The existence of our MLAs came under threat under the MVA government… It is only the natural alliance of the BJP and the Shiv Sena that can take Maharashtra ahead.”

New Delhi: With Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis holding marathon discussions, both the BJP and the Shiv Sena rebels appear to have finalised the size and members of their new government in Maharashtra. But they seem to be waiting for the July 11’s Supreme Court order on the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena faction’s plea challenging Shinde’s appointment.

Sources said the details were finalised as Shinde and Fadnavis held discussions with senior BJP leader and Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday night in New Delhi. The over-six-hour-long meeting went up to 2 am, they added.

However, addressing the media on Saturday, Shinde said leaders of both parties would sit together in Mumbai after the Supreme Court delivered its order. He rejected Thackeray’s demand for a midterm election, saying his government would complete the term. He also said he had faith in the judiciary.

Terming his move to rebel against Thackeray as a “revolution”, Shinde said, “The existence of our MLAs came under threat under the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government. Back then we could not speak. That is why we took the step. It is only the natural alliance of the BJP and the Shiv Sena that can take Maharashtra ahead.”

The chief minister insisted that his group was the real Shiv Sena. “Bal Thackeray, the founder of the Shiv Sena, had fought for Hindutva. But Uddhav Thackeray had failed to follow it. We are following it. Uddhav had derailed his (Bal Thackeray’s) agenda and we are putting it back on track,” he said.

The two leaders called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday.