Maharashtra govt formation: Fadnavis meets Maha Governor

11:46 October 28

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis with Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday met Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan to extend Diwali wishes.

The meeting comes amid an ongoing tussle over government formation in the state, between BJP and Shiv Sena.

Taking to Twitter, Fadnavis stated that he had met the Governor to extend his wishes on the occasion of Diwali.

"Met Hon Governor Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari ji this morning at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai and wished him on occasion of Diwali. Also apprised him on the current scenario," Fadnavis tweeted.

11:14 October 28

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis arrives at Raj Bhavan to meet Maharashtra Governor.

10:40 October 28

Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote arrived at Raj Bhavan to meet Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

He said that his meeting with Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan was not related to any political issue.

The statement comes after speculations were on rife that Raote might have discussed Maharashtra government formation matter with the Governor during his visit.

Speaking to media after meeting the Governor, the Shiv Sena leader, "Since a very long time, I visit Raj Bhawan to meet the Governor on every Diwali to extend my wishes so I came here to give him Diwali wishes today."

He continued, "He had asked me to come at 10:30 am as he is scheduled to go out for work later today. We did not hold a discussion regarding any political issue."
 

10:40 October 28

Maharashtra CM and Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote to meet Maharashtra Governor separately

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote to meet Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyariseparately today. Raj Bhawan confirms, it is a courtesy visit during Diwali festival.

10:34 October 28

Yuva Swabhiman Party MLA Ravi Rana offers his unconditional support to BJP

Yuva Swabhiman Party MLA Ravi Rana offers his unconditional support to BJP

Yuva Swabhiman Party MLA Ravi Rana writes to Devendra Fadnavis offering his unconditional support to BJP.

Ravi Rana is MLA from Badnera Assembly constituency in Amravati, he defeated Shiv Sena's Band Priti Sanjay by a margin of 15,541 votes.

09:40 October 28

Maharashtra govt formation: Shiv Sena plays hardball with BJP

Mumbai: Amid the battle of oneupmanship over sharing of power in the next Maharashtra government, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote will be meeting state Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari separately here on Monday morning.

Leaders of both the parties, however, claimed they wanted to extend Diwali greetings to the governor, and denied that there would be any political discussion on the formation of the next government in the state.

"This is a festival of lights and Raote will meet Governor Koshyari to extend Diwali greetings on behalf of the Sena. There will be no political discussion," a senior leader of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said.

Besides, a close aide of Fadnavis also told a news agency that the chief minister will be meeting the governor to wish him for the Diwali festival.

"Any political discussion is unlikely," he said.

As the BJP's tally went down in the state Assembly elections held last week compared to its 2014 performance, its ally Shiv Sena's chief Uddhav Thackeray raised a pitch for "equal sharing" of power.

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.