Mumbai: Shiv Sena is now gearing itself to lead the government with Congress and NCP. But they want written commitment of support for five years from both the parties.
“NCP is ready to support the government from inside and the Congress from outside. But we want written commitment from them that they will not withdraw the support in middle. We want commitment for next 5 years,” a highly placed source in Shiv Sena said.
“NCP is supporting Sena on the condition that Uddhav Thackeray should lead the government and Ajit Pawar will be his deputy. Sena agreed for this. We will now stake claim on November 8,” a Sena leader said.
“Congress is not ready to join the government. Sena is ready to form the government even if NCP extend support from outside alongwith Congress. This time we are determined to keep BJP at bay at any cost. They have damaged Sena and hurt our pride,” a senior Sena leader said.
Sena leaders also admitted that there is also a group of leaders who are against joining hands with NCP.
“Some leaders from rural part of Maharashtra are not happy with this possibility of joining hands with NCP. They fought with NCP for one or two decades and now have to support them is a problematic decision for them keeping in mind their local equations,” a Sena leader said.
To snap the ties with BJP, Sena may make the issue of neglect of farmers by Centre government. Sena has asked all its district heads and legislators to submit the report of losses of farmers, damaged crops.
“Based on this input, we will prepare a report and announce how Shiv Sena want to help government be leading thde government in the state.
Uddhav Thackeray is expected to address a press conference on this issue and may pull out of NDA by making the issue of Mahrashtra farmers affected by natural calamities and farmers suicides,” said another Sena leader.
