2 Vidarbha MLAs offer support to Sena for forming govt in Maharashtra

Two days after the Maharashtra Assembly election results were announced, two MLAs from a smaller party in Vidarbha extended support to the Shiv Sena, thus increasing its bargaining power with BJP over power sharing.

According to a report by news agency PTI, Achalpur MLA Bachchu Kadu and Melghat MLA Rajkumar Patel wrote to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray extending their support to the saffron party. Kadu heads the Prahar Janshakti Party.

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“Kadu’s support has increased the Sena’s bargaining power. We adjusted with the BJP between 2014 and 2019. Now it is time to have our share,” a Sena leader was quoted as saying.

The BJP’s tally in the Assembly polls, results of which were declared on October 24, came down to 105 from 122 in 2014, prompting the Sena, with 56 seats, to play hardball in power sharing talks.

Among the Sena’s demands is a written assurance from the BJP on “equal sharing of power”, which could possibly include equal division of the chief ministerial tenure.

(With inputs from agencies)