Amid BJP-Sena standoff, farmer asks Governor to make him CM
What's the story
As the standoff between the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra continues, a farmer from Beed district has written to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, asking to be Chief Minister. The farmer, Shrikant Vishnu Gadale, asked Koshyari to make him the CM while the two political parties, which together won the majority in the state polls, work out their differences. Here's more.
Details
Farmer insisted that Maharashtra needs a government at the earliest
In his letter dated October 31, Gadale informed the Governor that it has been a tough time for farmers due to untimely rains damaging their crops. Writing in Marathi, the farmer said, "Till the time matter of CM post is sorted out, I should be made CM." He insisted that the state needs a government at the earliest.
Twitter Post
You can read the letter here
A farmer from Beed has asked the governor to make him CM till @BJP4India and @ShivSena sort out their differences pic.twitter.com/USPwE4FcWN
— Kajal K Iyer (@Kajal_Iyer) November 1, 2019
Maharashtra polls
BJP-Shiv Sena alliance won majority in Maharashtra polls
To recall, in the recent Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance had won a majority, with the BJP emerging as the single largest party. The saffron party bagged 105 seats in the 288-member Assembly while the Shiv Sena won 56 seats. Meanwhile, the Congress party won 44 seats and the Nationalist Congress Party won 54 seats in the October 21 elections.
Power tussle
Why doesn't Maharashtra have a government yet?
Since the elections, the BJP and the Shiv Sena have failed to produce a CM as they debate the logistics of their alliance. The Shiv Sena wants the saffron party to implement the 50:50 deal wherein BJP's Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena's Aaditya Thackeray share the post of CM for 2.5 years each. However, BJP insists that Fadnavis remain CM for a full term.