BJP, Shiv Sena set for Maharashtra test

New Delhi: As its government braces for a trust vote in Maharashtra on Wednesday, the BJP on Tuesday said it welcomes support from all parties except the Congress for the development of the state.

The BJP will welcome support of all parties except the Congress, which is "responsible for the mess", so that the government can work for development of Maharashtra and fulfill the aspirations of its people, senior BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said.

The remark by Rudy, who was in charge of Maharashtra affairs of the party till recently, indicated that the BJP is not averse to receiving support from the NCP and other parties.

"We want to take along all those who want to come forward for the development of Maharashtra. I hope Sena will turn around," he said.

On Mr Sharad Pawar's NCP, he said that the party has already extended unconditional support. But he dismissed suggestions that the other party will be running the show in the state.

Even as positive signals were sent out from the BJP, the Shiv Sena gave conflicting messages on sitting in the Opposition in the Assembly, while appearing open to conciliatory talks.

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday addressed a meeting of Sena legislators. However, he left the venue without speaking to reporters after the meeting which lasted for more than an hour.

Shiv Sena sources said that the party's MLAs have been asked to remain present at the Vidhan Bhawan at 9 am on Wednesday. Incidentally, the Speaker's election is scheduled to take place at 11 am on Wednesday.

With 63 members in the 288-member House, the Shiv Sena has fielded a candidate for the Speaker's election. The BJP with 121 members and Congress with 42 MLAs have also put up candidates for the election.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also asked its MLAs to be present at 10am in the Vidhan Bhavan. "The party decision regarding the speaker's election would be conveyed to them before voting begins at 11am," NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said.