File photo of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray with PM Narendra Modi
New Delhi:
The BJP's hard-core endurance test for the Shiv Sena is delivering results. In new shows of courtesy, the Shiv Sena and its top leaders are offering vast praise for the BJP, the Prime Minister and the man likely to be Maharashtra's next chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis.
Since it won the most seats in the Maharashtra election two weeks ago, the BJP has refused to confirm that it will reunite with the Shiv Sena, with whom it ended a 25-year alliance in September. The BJP did not win an outright majority but has a plethora of routes it can take to form the government.
It has an offer of support from Sharad Pawar's NCP; it could end its separation with the Sena, which placed second in the elections; it has also said it's working on winning over independents to bolster its strength.
Shiv Sena sources have said that the party's chief Uddhav Thackeray is "talking directly" with PM Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. The Sena sources claimed that though a deal is not sealed yet, "things are positive."
The BJP plans to have its ministers sworn in on Friday; the Prime Minister is expected to attend, said sources.
So far the party has refused to put the Shiv Sena out of its misery by indicating whether a merger will be renewed. The Shiv Sena has made clear that it treats the partnership as unstuck only in Maharashtra. Its lawmakers were conspicuously present at a tea party hosted for allies by the PM on Sunday.
Apparently over-eager to please, the Sena in an editorial in its mouthpiece the Saamna today credited both the Prime Minister and Mr Shah for winning Maharashtra. The editorial today is a marked departure from earlier pieces that have been vicious in their criticism of the PM and his party.
"Fadnavis ji has done great work in Maharashtra," said Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena, promising party will support "a Chief Minister who will take Maharashtra to new heights."
Since it won the most seats in the Maharashtra election two weeks ago, the BJP has refused to confirm that it will reunite with the Shiv Sena, with whom it ended a 25-year alliance in September. The BJP did not win an outright majority but has a plethora of routes it can take to form the government.
It has an offer of support from Sharad Pawar's NCP; it could end its separation with the Sena, which placed second in the elections; it has also said it's working on winning over independents to bolster its strength.
Shiv Sena sources have said that the party's chief Uddhav Thackeray is "talking directly" with PM Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. The Sena sources claimed that though a deal is not sealed yet, "things are positive."
The BJP plans to have its ministers sworn in on Friday; the Prime Minister is expected to attend, said sources.
So far the party has refused to put the Shiv Sena out of its misery by indicating whether a merger will be renewed. The Shiv Sena has made clear that it treats the partnership as unstuck only in Maharashtra. Its lawmakers were conspicuously present at a tea party hosted for allies by the PM on Sunday.
Apparently over-eager to please, the Sena in an editorial in its mouthpiece the Saamna today credited both the Prime Minister and Mr Shah for winning Maharashtra. The editorial today is a marked departure from earlier pieces that have been vicious in their criticism of the PM and his party.
"Fadnavis ji has done great work in Maharashtra," said Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena, promising party will support "a Chief Minister who will take Maharashtra to new heights."
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