BJP’s ex-saffron ally Shiv Sena left red-faced

Mumbai: Shiv Sena has been left feeling humiliated as it was promised a Cabinet-rank position in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government but was, instead, offered a minister of state berth at the last minute. Party leaders feel deceived by the BJP as party president Amit Shah, had asked for two names from Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray for the Cabinet expansion at the Centre. The Sena had given only one name from its side.

However, the BJP believes that the Sena leadership is creating issues only to gain the portfolios it desires in the state government. BJP leaders have also claimed that Shiv Sena is struggling with infighting as senior leaders are upset with the elevation of Sena MP Anil Desai.

Shiv Sena on Sunday decided not to become part of swearing-in ceremony of the Modi government that was held for its first Cabinet expansion. Mr Desai was asked not to attend the ceremony even though he had reached Delhi Airport along with his wife for the event.

According to a senior Sena leader, BJP has been humiliating them before the Maharashtra Assembly polls right from the seat-sharing talks to the talks over forming the government at the Centre and in Maharashtra.

Sources said that BJP chief called Mr Thackeray on the phone late on Saturday evening and assured him of a Union Cabinet berth. “Based on the assurance, Anil Desai was asked to leave for New Delhi. But it came as a shock when we came to know Mr Desai would be made a minister of state,” a senior Sena functionary said.

The BJP, however, has denied that any such backtracking occurred. A senior BJP leader said that Sena leadership is more concerned about Maharashtra than the Central government. “I believe Uddhav is creating issues unnecessarily to get his desired berths and portfolios in Maharashtra government,” he claimed.

Another senior BJP functionary opined that the Desai episode took place due to infighting between senior Shiv Sena MPs. “Many senior Shiv Sena MPs such as Chandrakant Khaire, Anandrao Adsul and Bhavana Gawali are feeling sidelined by the party leadership with Mr Desai’s promotion and they are pressurising Uddhav for more berths,” he stated.