Less than a month since the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine came to power in Maharashtra, a BJP MLA of the state has now extended an offer to Sena to hold talks over government formation with its erstwhile ally.
Ashish Shelar of BJP on Saturday, 14 December, said Shiv Sena does not need to worry about staying in power if a difference of opinion emerges with Congress and NCP over the Citizenship Amendment Act.
“Governments come and go. Shiv Sena need not give up on power if Congress and NCP go against the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Maharashtra. BJP is ready to hold talks and offer political assistance to them [sic]” he said.
On Friday, Shelar had written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, asking him to implement the Act in the state without any delay, news agency ANI reported.
In a letter written in Marathi, Shelar cited statements by two Congress ministers against not implementing the Act. He said that people in Ulhas Nagar and other parts of Maharashtra celebrated the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
Earlier, state minister and Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat on Friday had said that the state will follow the policy of party's central leadership on the contentious Act.
Sena Questions Shelar’s Credentials
Slamming Shelar, Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande questioned his credentials, asking whether "he has been authorised by BJP state President Chandrakant Patil" to speak on his behalf or for the party.
"Shelar has been continuously targeting the CM and instigating the party on various issues through social media almost daily. How come his stand has suddenly changed today? Is he speaking officially for the party?" Kayande told news agency IANS.
She pointed out that the BJP has woken up too late to 'make compromises' now since the Sena-NCP-Congress alliance has gone very far and is governing the state effectively.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)