Mumbai:
Uddhav Thackeray, the top leader of the Shiv Sena, was a little late to the BJP's blockbuster inaugural ceremony in Maharashtra today. That meant he missed Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP taking oath as the new Chief Minister. But his presence signaled the possible denouement of the melodrama that his party and the BJP have inhabited since September, when they ended a 25-year alliance.
At the event, Mr Thackeray shook hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he had aggressively caricatured in the election campaign. Mr Thackeray had initially RSVP-ed for today's ceremony - his party bemoaned serial "humiliation" by the BJP - but a last minute call from BJP President Amit Shah led him to Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Since the BJP won the election earlier this month, the Sena has been on stand-by for a reunion. In its best-ever performance in Maharashtra, the BJP won the most seats, but not a clear majority. As runner-up, the Sena was primed to help bridge the gap, and partner in the new government. But its leverage was neutered by Sharad Pawar, who said his party would support a minority government.
Since then, the Sena has abandoned playing it cool. This week, leaders told the BJP that they should be included in the first edition of the cabinet that was sworn in today. Omission, the Sena felt, would be too rugged a rebuff to palatably ignore as negotiations continue.
The BJP did not yield. Its leaders have refused so far to indicate whether the Sena will be given a second chance, stating only that talks are progressing well.
In the Sena mouthpiece that was enlisted during the campaign to pillory the BJP, recent editorials have paid compliment to the PM and Mr Fadnavis. Today's column defended the BJP from the opposition's allegations of an over-extravagant spectacle. "It's laughable to hear criticism from those who supervised the loot of the state," the Sena newspaper said.