Saamna swipes to cost Sena cabinet berths
Sena’s attacks on Modi and BJP spurs Fadnavis to exclude Sena faces from cabinet expansion planned later this month.
The Shiv Sena, which has been taking swipes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi in party mouthpiece Saamna, is unlikely to get new ministerial berths in the state cabinet as the BJP has decided to punish its ‘ally’ for the “unwarranted attacks”.
The Sena currently has five ministers in the cabinet headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and five ministers of state. Later this month, Fadnavis will add at least four new ministers to the cabinet, but none of them will be from the Sena, a senior BJP leader said. Only two junior ministers from the Sena will be accommodated in the government.
The Sena, according to BJP sources, had demanded at least one cabinet berth. Sena legislators Gulabrao Patil (Jalgaon), Arjun Khotkar (Jalna), Sunil Prabhu (Dindoshi) and Suresh Dhanorkar (Warora) have been reportedly eyeing ministerial roles.
The two saffron allies have taken opposing stands on almost every major issue ever since the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the assembly elections in 2014. The Sena has been particularly critical of Modi, even mocking his frequent visits abroad.
The attacks have been led by Sena MP Sanjay Raut, who recently described the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra as worse than the regime of Nizam, who ruled the princely state of Hyderabad and parts of Aurangabad and Marathwada. The Saamna is anchored by Raut.
Last month, the Sena presented a report card on the second anniversary of the Modi government, terming him a “high-flier” who is strong on announcements but short on delivery.
The Sena also angered the BJP when it literally celebrated Eknath Khadse’s exit from the government. Khadse, who held important portfolios such as the revenue department, resigned earlier this month after he was linked to the MIDC land scam and was accused of being in touch with fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim. His aide also face bribery allegations. Khadse has rejected all the charges and demanded a probe to clear his name.
Rein in Raut: BJP to Sena
During a recent cabinet meeting, Fadnavis expressed strong displeasure over the Sena celebrations. “We will not give any key portfolios to the Sena until Uddhav Thackeray reins in Raut,” a BJP leader said.
A Sena legislator said the party had 63 MLAs in the state, yet it was poorly represented in the government. “We will push for more berths in the cabinet,” the MLA said.
BJP sources said Fadnavis would discuss the cabinet expansion with Uddhav before taking a final call.
SENA’S CABINET HOPEFULS
Sena legislators Arjun Khotkar (Jalna); Gulabrao Patil (Jalgaon rural); Neelam Gorhe (Pune); Suresh Dhanorkar (Warora); Sujit Minchekar (Hatkanangale); Rajesh Kshirsagar (Kolhapur North); and Sunil Prabhu (Dinsoshi) have been reportedly eyeing ministerial roles
The Shiv Sena, which has been taking swipes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi in party mouthpiece Saamna, is unlikely to get new ministerial berths in the state cabinet as the BJP has decided to punish its ‘ally’ for the “unwarranted attacks”.
The Sena currently has five ministers in the cabinet headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and five ministers of state. Later this month, Fadnavis will add at least four new ministers to the cabinet, but none of them will be from the Sena, a senior BJP leader said. Only two junior ministers from the Sena will be accommodated in the government.
“The Sena has gone too far: it has attacked not only the BJP but also the prime minister. If we extend an olive branch to the Sena now, it will look like we have succumbed to the pressure tactics,” said the BJP leader, who is a minister in the state government. “We cannot afford to been as playing second fiddle ahead of next year’s municipal elections. If they don’t like the way we work, they should not expect more berths.”
The Sena, according to BJP sources, had demanded at least one cabinet berth. Sena legislators Gulabrao Patil (Jalgaon), Arjun Khotkar (Jalna), Sunil Prabhu (Dindoshi) and Suresh Dhanorkar (Warora) have been reportedly eyeing ministerial roles.
The two saffron allies have taken opposing stands on almost every major issue ever since the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the assembly elections in 2014. The Sena has been particularly critical of Modi, even mocking his frequent visits abroad.
The attacks have been led by Sena MP Sanjay Raut, who recently described the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra as worse than the regime of Nizam, who ruled the princely state of Hyderabad and parts of Aurangabad and Marathwada. The Saamna is anchored by Raut.
Last month, the Sena presented a report card on the second anniversary of the Modi government, terming him a “high-flier” who is strong on announcements but short on delivery.
The Sena also angered the BJP when it literally celebrated Eknath Khadse’s exit from the government. Khadse, who held important portfolios such as the revenue department, resigned earlier this month after he was linked to the MIDC land scam and was accused of being in touch with fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim. His aide also face bribery allegations. Khadse has rejected all the charges and demanded a probe to clear his name.
Rein in Raut: BJP to Sena
During a recent cabinet meeting, Fadnavis expressed strong displeasure over the Sena celebrations. “We will not give any key portfolios to the Sena until Uddhav Thackeray reins in Raut,” a BJP leader said.
A Sena legislator said the party had 63 MLAs in the state, yet it was poorly represented in the government. “We will push for more berths in the cabinet,” the MLA said.
BJP sources said Fadnavis would discuss the cabinet expansion with Uddhav before taking a final call.
SENA’S CABINET HOPEFULS
Sena legislators Arjun Khotkar (Jalna); Gulabrao Patil (Jalgaon rural); Neelam Gorhe (Pune); Suresh Dhanorkar (Warora); Sujit Minchekar (Hatkanangale); Rajesh Kshirsagar (Kolhapur North); and Sunil Prabhu (Dinsoshi) have been reportedly eyeing ministerial roles
