The Congress has surprised everyone with its delay in extending support to the Shiv Sena in forming the Government in Maharashtra. Though the Shiv Sena repeatedly pleaded and sent even Aditya Thackeray to the Congress office, the party appeared to have dragged its feet.
Sources say that senior leader and former defence minister played a key role in delaying support. He is reported to have told incharge of Maharashtra Congress KC Venugopal that supporting Shiv Sena would send wrong signals to the minority community inthe state. By aligning with rabidly communal Shiv Sena, the party will lose the Muslim voters to MIM, he is reported to have said.
The MIM factor has become so important for the Congress that it fears that one small mistake, the Muslim votes would move away from the party. Especially given the fact that the MIM was responsible for the Congress defeat in 11 seats in the recent assembly elections, the Congress does not want to take any chances.
But, what will it do if the Nationalist Congress Party is ready to form the government with Shiv Sena support. Will it extend support from outside? Will the Congress MLAs, who have been out of power for five days, agree to remain outside the government?
Sources say that senior leader and former defence minister played a key role in delaying support. He is reported to have told incharge of Maharashtra Congress KC Venugopal that supporting Shiv Sena would send wrong signals to the minority community inthe state. By aligning with rabidly communal Shiv Sena, the party will lose the Muslim voters to MIM, he is reported to have said.
The MIM factor has become so important for the Congress that it fears that one small mistake, the Muslim votes would move away from the party. Especially given the fact that the MIM was responsible for the Congress defeat in 11 seats in the recent assembly elections, the Congress does not want to take any chances.
But, what will it do if the Nationalist Congress Party is ready to form the government with Shiv Sena support. Will it extend support from outside? Will the Congress MLAs, who have been out of power for five days, agree to remain outside the government?