Fadnavis re-elected BJP Legislative Party leader, thanks Sena chief

16:11 October 30

Devendra Fadnavis: This mandate is surely for BJP-Shiv Sena alliance as we sought votes for 'Mahayuti'. People voted for it. So there should be any doubt. It will be a BJP-Sena government

14:49 October 30

Fadnavis re-elected BJP Legislative Party leader, thanks Sena chief

Incumbent Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was re-elected leader of the state BJP legislature party.

All the 105 newly-elected BJP MLAs were present at the meeting, where Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar and party vice president Avinash Rai Khanna were present as central observers.

The meeting was held at Vidhan Bhawan in south Mumbai.

Tomar says no other name was proposed at the BJP legislature party meeting.

A turban-clan Fadnavis thanked party MLAs for reposing faith in him and giving him another chance to serve the state.

He also thanked Sena president Uddhav Thackeray.  

14:39 October 30

BJP legislative party meeting gets underway in Mumbai.

14:31 October 30

Sena to have legislative party meet tomorrow

According to reports, Shiv Sena will have a legislative party meeting tomorrow at the party headquarters in Mumbai. 

11:20 October 30

Chandrapur Ind MLA extends support to BJP

Independent MLA from Chandrapur Assembly Constituency Kishor Jorgewar met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and extended his support to the Bharatiya Janata Party today.

09:38 October 30

Another MLA extends support to BJP

Jan Surajya Shakti party leader and Shahuwadi (Kolhapur) MLA Vinay Kore extended his support to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis yesterday.

09:35 October 30

BJP Legislative Party meet today, Fadnavis likely to be elected leader

The Maharashtra BJP Legislature Party will meet in Mumbai today to elect its new leader. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is likely to be elected as the leader of the BJP legislature party. 

Fadnavis, who is currently the leader of the House, asserted yesterday that he will be the chief minister for another five years.

He also said that BJP president Amit Shah will not attend the meeting of the newly-elected BJP MLAs to pick the legislature party leader.

The BJP on Tuesday named Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar and party's vice president Avinash Rai Khanna as central observers for the Maharashtra legislature party meeting.

19:19 October 29

50:50 formula: Shah-Thackeray to hold talks to bring clarity

Amidst the ongoing tussle over the chief ministership, Maharashtra BJP Chief Chandrakant Patil has said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will hold talks regarding the 50:50 formula for power-sharing. 

Thackeray reminded the BJP of the 50:50 formula "agreed upon" between himself, BJP president Amit Shah and Fadnavis ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

On Saturday, he demanded a written assurance from the BJP for implementing "equal formula for sharing of power" before holding talks on staking the claim to form the next alliance government in the state.

19:18 October 29

High Command will discuss any proposal by Sena: Congress leader

Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan: If Shiv Sena comes to us with a proposal, we will put that proposal before our high command and discuss it with the allies as well. No such proposal has been given by Shiv Sena yet. 

16:28 October 29

Shiv Sena cancels talks with BJP as tussle continues

Shiv Sena has canceled the meeting scheduled with the BJP as the tussle continues over the chief ministership. According to reports, discussions between BJP-Shiv Sena were scheduled for 4 pm today.

The knee-jerk decision comes after incumbent CM Devendra Fadnavis said the Shiv Sena was not promised the CM's post for two-and-a-half years, when the alliance was formalised before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Sena has refuted the claims and said the formula was agreed in the presence of current Union Minister Amit Shah. 

16:07 October 29

Maharashtra BJP vice president met Uddhav Thackeray

Prasad Lad pays visit to Sena leader

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Prasad Lad paid a courtesy visit to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray earlier today. The meeting comes amid an ongoing tussle over government formation in the state, between BJP and Shiv Sena.

Thackeray reminded the BJP of the 50:50 formula "agreed upon" between himself, BJP president Amit Shah and Fadnavis ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

On Saturday, he demanded a written assurance from the BJP for implementing "equal formula for sharing of power" before holding talks on staking the claim to form the next alliance government in the state.

Meanwhile, BJP president Amit Shah might visit Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on October 30 after attending a meeting of the BJP's newly-elected MLAs to elect the leader of the House in Mumbai, days after the results of the October 21 Maharashtra Assembly elections were declared.

Shah's meeting with Thackeray, if it happens, assumes huge political significance given Sena's demand for equal sharing of power in the next government in view of the senior ally's weakened tally.

In the just-concluded state polls to 288-member Assembly, the BJP won 105 seats, a loss of 17 seats compared to its 2014 tally.

The Sena's tally also came down to 56 seats from 63 in 2014

15:39 October 29

50:50 formula was known by all: Sanjay Raut

Sanjay Raut:I don't know what the CM has said. If he is saying that the '50-50 formula' was never discussed, then I think we need to change the definition of truth. What was discussed, regarding the issue the CM is talking about, is known by all. 

15:07 October 29

Sena not promised CM post for 2.5 years, claims Fadnavis

Incumbent Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Shiv Sena was not promised the CM's post for two-and-a-half years when the alliance was formalised before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

He also expressed displeasure over the Shiv Sena's mouthpiece 'Saamana' frequently targeting the BJP, saying its role was to "derail" the talks.

Fadnavis said, "I have confirmed with Amit Shah and he told me that BJP has not given any assurance for the chief minister's post for two-and-a-half years (each for the BJP and Sena) when the alliance was formalised before the Lok Sabha polls."

Asked what was then the '50:50 formula', he said, "You will know soon."

13:38 October 29

45 Sena MLAs want to be part of Maha govt with BJP, claims BJP MP

BJP MP Sanjay Kakade claimed that around 45 newly elected Shiv Sena MLAs in Maharashtra are keen on government formation by joining hands with the BJP.

"Out of 56, there are 45 MLAs who have expressed their interest in government formation along with the BJP. They are calling and asking us to induct them into the government," the Rajya Sabha member claimed.

He added that the Sena MLAs have been saying "do whatever, but we want to be part of the government with BJP".

13:30 October 29

Two more independents extend support to BJP

Two more independent MLAs - Mahesh Baldi fron Uran and Vinod Agrawal from Gondia declared their support to the BJP. Rebel BJP MLA Geeta Jain had earlier extended her support to Devendra Fadnavis.

On the other hand, at least five independent MLAs have extended their support to the Shiv Sena.

12:55 October 29

Will remain Maharashtra CM for next 5 years, says Fadnavis

Incumbent Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said that he would remain the Chief Miister for the next five years, even as his party's ally Shiv Sena stays adamant on its demand for the CM post for 2.5 years.

"Our party president has confirmed that nothing has been decided on CM post to Shiv Sena. No formula has been decided yet," Fadnavis said.

"BJP will be leading the stable and efficient government of Mahayuti (BJP-Sena) alliance for the next five years," he added.

Fadnavis went on to claim that the Shiv Sena had not mady any demand yet, and if the party made any demand, it would be decided on merit.

"The Shiv Sena was not promised CM's post for two-and-a-half years when the alliance was formalised before the Lok Sabha polls," Fadnavis told reporters at his official residence 'Varsha'.

10:58 October 29

NCP-backed independent extends support to Shiv Sena

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)-backed Independent MLA Shankarrao Gadakh had yesterday extended support to the Shiv Sena, which is putting all efforts to have an equal share in power with its ally BJP to form the next government in Maharashtra.

Gadakh, an MLA from Nevasa in Ahmednagar district, announced his decision to offer support to the party after meeting Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at his residence.

Pertinently, Gadakh's father Yashwantrao was a former NCP leader.

10:26 October 29

Fadnavis re-elected BJP Legislative Party leader, thanks Sena chief

'No Dushyant here whose father is in jail,' Sena MP takes jibe at BJP

As the power-sharing tussle continues in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut took a jibe at the BJP, saying the situation in Maharashtra is nothing like that in Haryana.

"Uddhav Thackeray ji has said that we have other options too, but we don't want to commit a sin by accepting that alternative. Shiv Sena has always done politics of truth, we are not hungry for power," he said.

"There is no Dushyant Chautala here whose father is in jail. We do politics of truth in Maharashtra. If someone tries to keep us away from power, it is not called the politics of truth. We are currently observing the events and how low people can stoop," he added, in an obvious reference to Dushyant's father Ajay Chautala being released from Tihar jail on two-week furlough.

In an indirect warning to the BJP, Raut then seemingly suggested that it does not have any other option than the Shiv Sena.

"The political situation in Maharashtra is complicated. Here it is us who do politics of 'dharma and satya'. Sharad ji created an environment against the BJP this election. The Congress as well will never go with BJP," he said.