BJP-Sena talks make headway

Reached agreement on 80 pc of issues: Fadnavis

The power-sharing talks between the BJP and Shiv Sena made some progress on Monday after several round of meetings.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, however, took strong exception towards a section of Sena leaders who are not part of talks for speaking out of turn. According to sources, there seems to be some unanimity on several issues.

 A formal deal could be in sight as the BJP wants to expand the ministry ahead of the Nagpur session of the Assembly.

The talks resumed last week with Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and state Cooperation Minister Chandrakant Patil meeting Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. 

Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy also met Uddhav and hoped that the former allies would come together. “We have reached an agreement on about 70 per cent to 80 per cent of the issues....differences over few more things needs to be sorted out and I am confident about resolving them very soon,” Fadnavis told reporters.

“Only official interlocutors in the BJP-Sena talks should comment on the parleys...My request is that if only those who are official interlocutors talk (to media), then the process will move ahead,” Fadnavis added.

 Kadam had earlier accused the BJP of dragging the talks and that they were not interested in the alliance. Kadam also alleged that BJP leader and Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse was trying hard to “topple” the Fadnavis government as he was not made the chief minister.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Eknath Shinde said that the party has conferred all rights to Uddhav to decide on the issue.  

“We are now the Opposition party, all the 63 MLAs are working and going to different places...what ever order comes, we will abide...Uddhavji will take the final decision,” he said.