Maharashtra CM Feud: Devendra Fadnavis elected as BJP leader, says will sort out differences with Shiv Sena and form the government

Amidst BJP-Shiv Sena power tussle in Maharashtra, incumbent Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been elected as the leader of the BJP Legislature Party. The newly-elected BJP legislators elected Devendra Fadnavis as their leader on Wednesday amid demand by ally Shiv Sena for the top post on a rotational basis.

The BJP on Tuesday had named Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar and party's vice president Avinash Rai Khanna as central observers for the Maharashtra legislature party meeting.

Fadnavis, who is currently the leader of the House, had earlier asserted that he will be the chief minister for another five years.

Devendra Fadnavis had on Tuesday said the Shiv Sena was not promised the CM's post for two-and-a-half years when the alliance was formalized before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Fadnavis also asserted he will be the chief minister for the next five years.

Also Read: Maharashtra CM Feud: BJP-Shiv Sena Maharashtra power-sharing talks put on hold as parties fail to see eye-to-eye

Ever since the results of the October 21 Assembly polls were out, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has been claiming that the 50:50 formula on sharing of power was "agreed upon" between himself, Shah and Fadnavis ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

However, Fadnavis on Tuesday denied that the Sena was ever assured the chief minister's post for two-and-a-half years as part of the power-sharing "formula".

The BJP won 105 seats in the Assembly polls and has been wooing 13 Independents and MLAs from smaller parties to shore up its strength in the 288-member House. The Sena, which won 56 seats, is pushing for rotational chief ministership, an idea rejected by the BJP.

Meanwhile, amid bickering over the sharing of power in the next Maharashtra government, Shiv Sena also went into a huddle.

Sena leaders, including Sanjay Raut and Anil Desai, were seen entering the party headquarters in Matoshree, Uddhav Thackeray’s Mumbai residence, on Wednesday afternoon. Shiv Sena will hold a legislative party meeting on Thursday at the party headquarters in Mumbai.