New Delhi: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has turned down Prime Minister's Office (PMO) request for two names to be inducted into the Union Council of Ministers when Prime Minister Narendra Modi expands it on Sunday.
According to sources, Uddhav yesterday late night refused to put forward the two names citing the ongoing deadlock ‘standoff' between the two parties over the inclusion of Sena MLAs into Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra.
According to sources, the Sena has demanded the post of Deputy Chief Minister post and 12 ministries to which the BJP has said that the former can join the new government only after the trust vote on November 12, which is the new regime's top priority now.
With 63 MLAs, Sena emerged as the second largest party in the Maharashtra Assembly polls. The BJP has 122 MLAs in the 288-member House.
Yesterday, reports have also remerged that the Sena has now lowered its tone with the offer of two central berths in Narendra Modi Cabinet.
Sena leaders said that party is now cautious after it was ticked off in May during the formation of Modi's first ministry when it got only one berth and later with the BJP snapping its 25-year-old alliance just ahead of the assembly elections in Mahatashtra.
Sena has 18 MPS in the Lok Sabha. It is the second largest constituent of the NDA government at the Centre after the BJP which has 282 MPs in the Lower House.
