New Delhi, July 9
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said that the “real Shiv Sena is the Shiv Sena of Hindu hriday samrat Balasaheb Thackeray and the BJP has formed the government with the same Shiv Sena.”
Addressing a press conference in Delhi along with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Fadnavis also defended his party’s decision to appoint him Deputy CM instead of the CM as was being speculated earlier.
“My party made me the CM earlier, now as per the need of the party, I have abided by the party’s decision. Eknath Shinde is our leader and CM. We will work under him. The injustice was undone and our natural alliance was revived,” Fadnavis said.
Shinde, meanwhile, said the existence of Sena MLAs was under threat in the MVA government headed by Uddhav Thackeray.
“Back then we could not speak or express our views, which is why we took the step (to break away). It is only the natural alliance of BJP and Shiv Sena that can take Maharashtra ahead,” Shinde said.
The two leaders, however, refused to expand on the contours of the council of ministers, which is believed to be the main reason for their visit to Delhi.
Shinde and Fadnavis, who met Home Minister Amit Shah last night, today called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president JP Nadda and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
They also made a courtesy call on President Ram Nath Kovind.
During their meeting with Amit Shah, they are believed to have discussed the broad contours of the power-sharing formula between the BJP and the Shinde-led faction of the Shiv Sena.
“I am confident that under the guidance of Narendra Modi, both of you will serve the people faithfully and take Maharashtra to newer heights of development,” Shah said last night.
