No proposal on govt formation from Sena: BJP

Mumbai: The ongoing political stalemate in Maharashtra continued with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday saying that it has "not received any proposal" from Shiv Sena on forming the next government in the state.

"We have not received any proposal from the Shiv Sena on government formation so far. We are waiting for it and our doors are open for the 24 hours. We shall discuss it as soon as we get the proposal. We shall form the new government of the 'Maha-Yuti' as soon as possible," said Maharashtra BJP President Chandrakant Patil.

He reiterated that a BJP-led government, along with Shiv Sena and other allies in the 'Maha-Yuti', would be sworn-in under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

"The BJP central leadership has selected Fadnavis as the leader of the party and he has been elected the leader of the legislative party unanimously. The entire party is behind Fadnavis and the next government will be formed under his leadership," Patil declared.

"The people of Maharashtra have given a clear mandate in favour of the 'Maha-Yuti'. We respect the people's verdict and shall form the new government on a top priority," Patil assured.

He said the BJP was willing to take along all partners in the ruling alliance in this matter to give the state a new government -- effectively throwing the ball back in Sena's court.

Patil was interacting briefly with the media after emerging from a state BJP core committee meeting on Tuesday afternoon, which was chaired by Fadnavis with the participation of several ministers and top leaders.

While Sena President Uddhav Thackeray declined to comment on this in Nanded, party MP Sanjay Raut shot back: "What proposal? Whatever (the 50:50 formula) was decided before the Lok Sabha elections are the proposal. Nothing more and nothing less."

Adopting a tough stand, the Sena has demanded to share the post of Chief Minister for 30 months each, and certain key portfolios, as decided with the BJP before this year's last Lok Sabha elections.

However, the BJP is not willing to give up the post of Chief Minister. The party is ready to give the Deputy Chief Minister's post to Sena, while it wants to keep important ministries like home, revenue, urban development and rural development, though it may be prepared to concede finance, agriculture and other portfolios to the Sena.

Toeing the known party stance, another BJP minister Girish Mahajan said the party had already conveyed its proposal to Sena last week in which the BJP said that it would keep the Chief Minister's post, while Sena would get the Deputy Chief Minister's post.