Video Editor: Sandeep Suman
Why isn’t the BJP’s high command, which has thus far played a crucial role in forming the government even if it doesn’t get a majority, focusing on Maharashtra? The Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar, has already taken the oath but the government of Maharastra is not even close to formation.
A meme of Amit Shah is quite popular on social media – I make the government where I get a majority and where I don’t, I make sure I make the government.
Set aside the meme, you still cannot dismiss that all the way from Haryana to Goa, to the North-East, the BJP high command has been pivotal in forming the government.
In the recent Haryana Assembly elections, as soon as news of the BJP’s failure to get majority broke, Home Minister Amit Shah stopped his ITBP program and summoned Haryana Chief Minister (former, at the time) to Delhi. Later, with JJP’s help, the BJP formed the government.
We ask: Why is Devendra Fadnavis left to protect the Maharashtra throne all by himself?
10 days after the results, Fadnavis went to Delhi to meet with Amit Shah, not looking very keen.
In 2014, Fadnavis had the support of prominent leaders like Eknath Kharse, Vinod Tawde and Pankaja Munde, but this time around Kharse and Tawde weren't even given tickets, and Pankaja Munde lost the elections, leaving Fadnavis without much support.
It is also evident that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has distanced himself from Maharashtra.
It is said that Amit Shah, PM Modi and Nitin Gadkari were not prepared for an alliance with the Shiv Sena for the Assembly Elections but CM Fadnavis wanted to contest the elections with an alliance.
So, is that why Amit Shah isn’t taking initiative to talk to Uddhav Thackeray? Remember that during the Lok Sabha elections, Amit Shah went to Mumbai himself to meet Uddhav Thackeray to form an alliance.
Shiv Sena has repeatedly said that it was in this meeting where they discussed the proposition of the 2.5 years each CM tenure division. Now, if Amit Shah actually did make such a promise, it's something only the BJP or the Shiv Sena can confirm.
But it is true that the moment Uddhav Thackeray said that he was not aware of any such promise, Shiv Sena stopped all talks with the BJP.
Why is Fadnavis not staking claim to form the government? The reason is the post of the Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly.
BJP won 105 seats in the Assembly elections and with the support of Independent candidates, their number currently stands at 115. However, 145 is the number to get a majority ie, if 30 MLAs walk out at the time of proving majority, then the BJP can form the government on its own.
But even if BJP gets majority, it will have trouble in the election for the Speaker. Maybe NCP Chief Sharad Pawar would want someone from his party to be elected Speaker. This has many political advantages – this will be the greatest weapon to curb the BJP.
This implies that Shiv Sena or NCP can field their candidates against the JBP. Voting for this position is very discreet so the BJP will find it tough to win.
So, until Fadnavis has the numbers required, he shall not stake claim to form the government. And, to achieve the magical number, he seems to be fighting all alone for the throne.
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