M A I N   N E W S

Maha fix: BJP keeps all options on table
Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 20
The suspense on the government formation continues in Maharashtra where the BJP has emerged as the single largest party by bagging 122 seats but is short of clear majority in the 288-member House.

Strengthened by the “unconditional support” offered by the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, the saffron party is keeping all its options open, including whether or not to take along its estranged ally, the Shiv Sena.

Though the RSS is believed to be in favour of patching up with the Sena to form the government, the Sangh today said it is up to the BJP to decide as to whose support it should take. RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi said the (support) issue can be decided by BJP alone.

"We have no role in it, it is up to the party to accept it or not. And if some party wants to give its support than it is up to them (BJP) to decide and think about it," Joshi told reporters in Lucknow. He was responding to a query whether it was morally right to accept the NCP offer after targeting it during the election campaign on corruption charges.

Senior BJP leaders say party chief Amit Shah is of the opinion that outside support can’t be equated to being part of the government.

The party, say sources, is very clear that it would not tie up with the Sena if its chief Uddhav Thackeray sets conditions. “There is no question of sharing the chief ministership,” say sources. “Sena’s compulsion to be a part of the government is bigger than ours (BJP). They have no other option but to be part of the government and at our conditions,” they add.

Shah on Monday met senior Maharashtra leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to discuss party strategy. Gadkari’s name has been doing the rounds for the top post in Maharashtra along with Devendra Fadnavis, Gopinath Munde’s daughter Pankaja and others.

Gadkari is believed to enjoy the support of industrialists and the NCP. Sources, however, said his meeting with Shah was only about the government formation in Maharashtra and that Gadkari was happy being the Union Minister.

BJP leaders also dismiss the possibility of any tacit pact with the NCP. Pawar has said his offer was governed by the need for stability in the state. Sources, however, say the NCP was in touch with the BJP throughout the election process. The unconditional support offer, which gave leverage to the BJP to put pressure on the Sena, was the brainchild of a top BJP leader from Maharashtra, claim sources. 

NCP offer: BJP will take a call, says RSS

* The RSS on Monday said it is up to the BJP to decide as to whose support it should take to form the government in Maharashtra

* BJP chief Amit Shah meets Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to discuss strategy. The party, say sources, is very clear that it would not tie up with the Sena if Uddhav Thackaray sets conditions

* BJP leaders also dismiss the possibility of any tacit pact with the NCP