Mumbai: Maharashtra’s next government will be led by the Shiv Sena and the common minimum programme (CMP) being worked out along with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) ahead of its formation will be in the ‘state’s interest’, said party spokesman Sanjay Raut here Friday.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led saffron party will lead the government in Maharashtra for the next ‘25 years’ and not just five years asserted Sanjay Raut while talking to reporters here.
The Rajya Sabha MP, who turned 58, Friday, was responding to questions on whether his party will share the chief minister’s post with the NCP and the Congress, its allies in the prospective three-party government.
“Talks are on with the Congress and the NCP to work out a common minimum programme which will be in the interest of the state and its people,” Raut said.
“Whether it is a single party government or an alliance, an agenda for governance is necessary. There are infrastructure projects to be taken forward, (and issues related to) drought, unseasonal rains (are to be tackled). Those coming with us are experienced administrators. We will benefit from their experience,” Raut added.
Asked whether the Shiv Sena will share the chief minister’s post on a rotational basis in the next dispensation, Raut said, “We want to have the chief minister’s post for the next 25 years. The Shiv Sena will provide leadership to Maharashtra no matter who tries best to stop it.”
To a query whether a power-sharing formula envisaging 14 portfolios each for the NCP and the Sena, and 12 for the Congress has been decided (as being speculated in media), Raut declined to disclose details of the proposed coalition arrangement between the three parties.
“You don’t worry about power-sharing. Uddhavji (Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray) is capable of taking decisions,” said the politician-journalist, who is also the executive editor of Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.
PTI
