Maharashtra CM Fadnavis confident of full term of his Govt.

Even as the Shiv Sena builds pressure on the BJP-led government with threats of resignations by its ministers ahead of the crucial Mumbai civic polls, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, said there is no danger to his government.

In an interview late on Thursday, the chief minister — just back to the city after conducting five rallies across the state — said, “Currently, the Sena is with us in the government. They have not withdrawn support and our government is stable. I will not comment on whether they will pull out. But I can say my government is staying for its full term of five years, for sure.’’ While Fadnavis did not spell it out, he indicated his government would sail with or without the Sena. The CM has also taken resignation threats by Sena ministers on February 18, the last day of campaigning, lightly.

 Sena ministers are likely to submit their resignation letters next week to Thackeray to turn up the heat on its friend-turned-foe. “There is no



pressure on us. This [offering resignation letters] is generally a ploy, especially if we have a big rally on that particular day to divert attention and run some issue for an entire day in the media,’’ said Fadnavis.

Asked whether the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was his plan B — in case the Sena pulls out of the government — and if a future alliance is possible with the NCP, Fadnavis only said it was ‘very hypothetical’ at the moment.

Sources close to the CM said he was not worried about his government because he felt the Sena will not pull out. A senior BJP leader said in a worse-case scenario, the party had to only get support of 22-odd legislators, which would not be difficult given that they had as many as 12 ministerial seats (in case the Sena walks out) would be on the offer. The party feels help will be available from many legislators across parties since no one is keen on a mid-term poll.