MUMBAI: In an indication of the mood prevailing in the Shiv Sena camp after the induction of Ajit Pawar and eight other NCP MLAs as ministers in the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government, Sena cabinet minister Shambhujraje Desai, who has the excise portfolio, said on Tuesday that if Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray reaches out to them, the CM's camp will "reciprocate positively".Two Shiv Sena MLAs too spoke out.
One of them, Sanjay Shirsat, said that when the Sena-BJP government had a majority of 172 MLAs, there was no need to get NCP on board, but added that some accommodations have to be made in politics.
He added, "If one has to give up everything, what is the point of being in power?" The other MLA, Bharat Gogawale, said that "instead of one 'bhakri (bread), everyone (Sena MLAs) will get only half a 'bhakri' now."CM Shinde, who was in Nagpur to welcome President Droupadi Murmu, left for Mumbai late Tuesday though he was supposed to stay back for the night.
Sena sources said Shinde had called a meeting of Sena MPs and MLAs at Varsha, the CM's official residence on Wednesday evening.
His arrival in Mumbai led to speculation that there may be some key political developments on the cards.
Several Sena MLAs had been hopeful of cabinet berths over the past one year.We'll be upset, but we have to accept reality: Sena MLAShiv Sena MPs and MLAs met at Ramtek bungalow, the South Mumbai residence of Sena cabinet minister Deepak Kesarkar on Tuesday evening.
Sena sources said they discussed the fallout of the NCP's entry into the government and the impact it would have on their alliance with the BJP.
Sena sources said that in Wednesday's party meeting called by CM Eknath Shinde, the current cabinet expansion, the role of the party in the changed political scenario and other issues are expected to be discussed.Before nine NCP MLAs led by Ajit Pawar joined the Shinde government, 20 of the 43 ministerial slots had been filled.
Now there are just 14 left.While reports had indicated Sena MLAs hoping to get into the cabinet might not be happy after the Ajit group's entry, Shambhuraj Desai said on Tuesday that they would respond to Uddhav if he got in touch.
"But these are hypothetical questions, it's all about ifs and buts.
If he also reaches out, we will reciprocate, give a positive response.
We will give a hand, when he gives a hand," Desai said.
However, he added, "It is already clear that Shinde will be CM till 2024 and the 2024 polls will be fought under his leadership.
This has been made clear by the BJP leadership.
We have no differences with Ajit Pawar and NCP, the triple-engine government will work at the speed of a bullet train."MLA Bharat Gogawale said of the Ajit Pawar group's induction, "In politics, these things happen.
What will we do by being upset? We have to accept the reality and move on.
We will be upset to some extent, that is true, because one who was to get one 'bhakri' will get only 'half,' and those who were to get half a 'bhakri' will get only a quarter."MLA Sanjay Shirsat said another round of cabinet expansion will take place before Sunday.
Shirsat said "everyone has asked" why the Ajit group's induction was necessary.
"But in politics some accommodations have to be made in view of the LS and assembly polls," he said.
He added, "They (CM and Dy CM) have tried to balance everything.
These compromises will have to be made.
The CM will have to do justice.
Unless justice is done, it will not work, because everyone has to be pacified."President Murmu is on a 3-day tour of Vidarbha region, and CM Shinde received her at Nagpur airport.