Shiv Sena Presses For Another Berth In Modi Cabinet

According to a media report, Shiv Sena has demanded one more Cabinet berth in the Narendra Modi-led government. The report quoted a Shiv Sena leader saying that party would not join the BJP government in Maharashtra, if it does not agree to this demand.

BJP had earlier rejected Shiv Sena’s demand for a deputy chief minister in Maharashtra.

"When Uddhav decided to come for the swearing in on the call of BJP leaders, the understanding was that our MLAs would be sworn in before Fadnavis wins the vote of confidence. However, BJP has ruled it out. So, effectively it wants us to support it in the vote of confidence without even telling us what portfolios we would be given. If BJP is serious in our support in Maharashtra, we need a Cabinet berth at the Centre," said a Shiv Sena leader.

Yesterday, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray had held a meeting of senior party leaders, in which the party decided to wait till the Union Cabinet expansion. If its demand is not met, it will not join the BJP government in Maharashtra and announce the name of the leader of opposition in the state Assembly.