Maharashtra: Two independent MLAs extend support to BJP

As the race to form government in Maharashtra continues after the recently concluded State elections, two independent MLAs met with Maharashtra CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and extended their support to the party. Independent MLAs, Vinod Agrawal and Mahesh Baldi, on Tuesday, extended their support to the BJP which won 105 seats in the state assembly elections. BJP's ally, Shiv Sena earlier issued an ultimatum stating that party chief Amit Shah and CM Devendra Fadnavis should issue a written statement assuring that the CM post will be shared equally by BJP and Shiv Sena for 2.5 years each. MLA Mahesh Baldi contested the state polls from Uran constituency and bagged 5710 votes, whereas Vinod Agrawal contested from Gondia constituency and won 75827 votes.

READ | Amid Sena's 50-50 Ultimatum, Fadnavis Assures Stable Govt Under BJP CM

Rebel MLAs extends support to BJP

Rebel MLA Geeta Jain who contested from Mira Bhayender Road met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday and extended her support to the Party. Another independent MLA Rajendra Raut from Barshi constituency also met the Chief Minister and extended support to the Bhartiya Janata Party. Meanwhile, two other rebel MLA's have extended support to Shiv Sena, sources reveal. The support of the independent MLA's will have a huge impact on the bargaining power of both parties. 

READ | Sena Issues Ultimatum To BJP: 'No Govt Till 50:50 Formula For CM Post'

Sena's 50-50 formula

A day after the election results were announced, Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik, outside Uddhav Thackeray's residence Matoshree said that the Chief Ministerial post must be equally divided between BJP and Sena for 2.5 years each. He wanted BJP president Amit Shah to give the assurance in writing and to maintain the 50-50 formula that was sealed before polls. Moreover, Sena has put banners in the Worli constituency from where Aaditya Thackeray won the assembly polls declaring him as the next CM. 

READ | Maharashtra CM Fadnavis: BJP-led Alliance Will Provide Stable Govt

Poll results in Maharashtra 

The saffron alliance swept Maharashtra on Thursday, October 24, winning a combined tally of 161 (BJP- 105, Sena -56) to award CM Devendra Fadnavis a second term. But the comeback of the 'Maha- Agadhi' alliance (NCP-Congress) took the Mahayuti by surprise as the NCP bagged 54 seats while the languishing Congress too bagged 44 seats. Though the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance will form the next government, it was handed a diminished mandate compared to 2014 where it won 185 seats.

READ | Maharashtra: Rebel MLA Geeta Jain Extends Support To BJP