Maharastra: BJP Legislature Party Meets In Mumbai, Elects Devendra Fadnavis As Leader Amid Tussle With Shiv Sena

In the backdrop of the tussle between the BJP and Shiv Sena over the CM's post, the BJP elected former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis as the leader of the legislature party on Wednesday.

The BJP legislature party met in Mumbai on Wednesday (30 October) afternoon, a day after Fadnavis asserted that he would be the chief minister for the next five years, without giving out details on how the BJP will form the government. However, soon after his election, Fadnavis asserted, the mandate is for "grand alliance" of Sena-BJP and the two will form the government.

But Tuesday was marked with day-long exchange of rhetoric and counter-rhetoric between the two parties. First, Sena leader Sanjay Raut alleged the BJP was "stooping low". Then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis issued a statement rejecting Shiv Sena's claim of 50-50 formula, which they have been adamant about.

Later on Tuesday evening, Shiv Sena cancelled its meeting with the BJP leadership, including close aide of Amit Shah, Bhupendra Yadav, to iron out differences.

Even after five days of the Maharashtra Assembly results, the BJP-Shiv Sena combine failed to stake its claim to form the government, with Sena flaunting "other options" and BJP claiming Sena MLAs who are ready to come on board with BJP.