In a bid to assuage the concerns over Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar's decision to join the coalition government, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met the Shiv Sena lawmakers and asserted there was nothing to worry.
Shinde's action came after a section of Shiv Sena lawmakers had raised certain concerns after the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar joined the one-year-old Shinde-BJP government.
All about Shinde's meeting with Sena lawmakers
It has been reported that the Shiv Sena MLAs and MPs on Wednesday night attended a meeting at Shinde's official residence 'Varsha' in south Mumbai.
“A lot of issues were discussed in the meeting like the ones pertaining to the monsoon session of Parliament as well as in the state legislature, strengthening the party's organisation,” said a party MP.
According to another party MP, Shinde was asked whether he knew about the sudden developments in the NCP to which he responded in the affirmative.
The MP also added that owing to the rapid pace of political developments, the Sena lawmakers could not be informed about them in advance.
The chief minister stressed the Ajit Pawar-led NCP group joining the ruling alliance will only help the party lawmakers, the MP added.
“He said there was nothing to worry as the BJP and the Shiv Sena have been in the government for a year now and the NCP (faction led by Ajit Pawar) joining the government will not affect its functioning in anyway,” a Shiv Sena MLC said.
Earlier in the day, Sena MP Kirtikar told PTI, “The scope of ministerial aspirants from the BJP and the Shiv Sena minimised after the NCP (rebel faction) joined the government. This has upset some MLAs. The chief minister was aware of this.”
After induction of nine ministers from NCP's Ajit Pawar camp, the strength of the Shinde-Fadnavis cabinet has gone up to 29, leaving 14 posts still vacant.
