CM swearing-in to be a subdued affair in Maha

With the cloud of uncertainty continuing to hover over the new government in Maharashtra and mounting fear that the BJP may fail to get the support of its alliance partner, Shiv Sena, the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP government is likely to be a low-key affair.

The party, which earlier wanted to hold a mega event at Wankhede stadium, is now going for a subdued swearing-in at Vidhan Bhavan lawns.

On Tuesday, the Shiv Sena termed Devendra Fadnavis as the “outgoing chief minister”, while the BJP reiterated that Mr Fadnavis would lead the next state government.

Late Tuesday evening, Mr Fadnavis visited RSS headquarter in Nagpur to meet Mohan Bhagwat. According to sources, Mr Fadnavis reached RSS headquarter at around 9.30pm and left at around 11 pm. RSS functionaries in Nagpur remained tight-lipped about what transpired at the meeting.

If the saffron party

◗ The Shiv Sena on Tuesday termed Devendra Fadnavis as the ‘outgoing chief minister’

◗ Late Tuesday evening, Mr Fadnavis visited RSS headquarter in Nagpur to meet Mohan Bhagwat

stakes claim to form the next government, the governor will ask it to prove its majority within a stipulated period. If the Sena decides against supporting its alliance partner, the BJP-led government will fail the floor test, which will open a string of possibilities. Shiv Sena, the secondlargest party in the House, can get the chance to form the next government if it manages to get support from the Congress and NCP.

Shiv Sena has 56 MLAs and has the support of seven Independent MLAs in the 288-member Assembly. If the NCP (54 MLAs) and Congress (44

■ Continued from Page 1 MLAs) join, they will together hit the majority number of 145. While there are indications that the NCP is ready to join the Sena in the government, Congress is non-committal even on the outside support.

NCP leader Nawab Malik on Tuesday said his party will think of providing an alternative government if Shiv Sena declares that it has snapped its ties with the BJP-led NDA. “Under no circumstances, we will allow the President’s rule to be imposed in the state,” he said.

Earlier in the day the BJP core committee held a meeting at the chief minister’s official residence “Varsha”.