SENA MAY GET TWO MINISTERIAL BERTHS IN NEW UNION CABINET

NEW DELHI: In a clear sign of rapprochement between the BJP and its oldest ally Shiv Sena, the latter may get two ministerial berths in the ensuing reshuffle of the Union cabinet. Sena sources told HT on Thursday that talks were on between the top leaderships of the two parties to arrive at an understanding before Sundays’ reshuffle.

“We may get one minister of state independent charges and another minister of state portfolio,” said a Sena source.

Currently Shiv Sena has just one representative in the Union cabinet: Anant Geete as minister of heavy industries. His portfolio, despite his initial refusal to accept a “lightweight” assignment, is unlikely to change.

Geete had refused to take charge of the ministry for the first few days, forcing talks between the top leaders of the BJP and Sena.

The possibility of induction of more Sena ministers in the Modi cabinet also signals at the end of the logjam prevailing in Maharashtra over participation of Sena in Devendra Fadnavis gover nment. Sena leaders, however, said that party chief Uddhav Thackrey will nominate the ministers in Modi’s cabinet.

Apart from Sena, the first reshuffle of the Modi-led cabinet is also set to benefit BJP’s southern ally, Telugu Desam Party (TDP). “You will know details about the Cabinet expansion in two days,” N Chandrababu Naidu said on Thursday.

Speculations are rife about return of NDA’s former power minister Suresh Prabhu into the council of ministers.