With Shiv Sena poised to sit in Opposition, will NCP save BJP in floor?

Mumbai: The next political move of the newly-installed BJP government in Maharashtra, slated to prove its majority in the Assembly in a special session beginning tomorrow, is keenly watched against the backdrop of its former

ally Shiv Sena today warning BJP against taking support of NCP for survival.

However, with 121 MLAs in its fold, the BJP which emerged as the single largest party in the state elections, seems to be banking on the "outside" support offered by the Sharad Pawar-led party which has indicated that it may vote in favour of the minority government on the floor of the House instead of abstaining from vote as it had said earlier.

The NCP, with 41 MLAs, has assured its outside support, sans any condition, to the new government. The Shiv Sena has 63 MLAs, and is the second largest party in the 288-member House after BJP.

It will be interesting to see how BJP cobble up requisite strength to achieve the magic figure of 145 MLAs to survive the floor test on November 12.

Meanwhile, Congress which has 42 members in the House, today said it will stake claim for post of the Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly.

"As soon as the party high-command nominates our party group leader in the Assembly, we will stake claim to the post," MPCC chief Manikrao Thakre said here today.

The three-day special session of the Legislative Assembly will begin here tomorrow wherein state Governor C Vidyasagar Rao will administer oath to Jeeva Pandu Gavit as Pro-tem Speaker of the Assembly in Raj Bhavan at 10 AM, an official said.

Assembly proceedings will start at 11 AM and the first two days will see the members of the 13th Assembly take oath. On November 12, the Speaker will be elected after which Fadnavis will move a trust vote. The session will conclude with the Governor's address to legislators.

Amid reports of Shiv Sena's demand for ministerial berths, Fadnavis had earlier said no minister will be sworn-in before the trust vote. The Cabinet expansion will happen only after the confidence vote, he had said.

The Sena has been reportedly trying to browbeat the BJP in extracting desirable portfolios for the party, however, BJP has not budged and reportedly asked Sena to first offer its support during the trust vote.