Smaller NDA parties in Maharashtra have backed Devendra Fadnavis as the Chief Minister, said Union Minister Ramdas Athawale.Leaders of these parties including Republican Party of India, Mahadeo Jankar of Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, Vinayak Mete of Shiv Sangram, Sada Bhau Khot of Swabhimani Paksha met on Thursday at Suruchi Building in Mumbai for a meeting.
However, BJP and Shiv Sena were not a part of the meeting.The NDA alliance partners met to lend support to BJP and made the decision under the leadership of RPI chief Ramdas Athawale.
Notably, the candidates of these allies contested the polls on BJP ticket.After the meeting, Athawale, who was vocal about the demands of the allies, said that a resolution was passed to congratulate Devendra Fadnavis for being elected as the leader of BJP legislative party and NDA partners in Maharashtra supporting his name as for the chief ministerial post."
Mahayuti (BJP-Shiv Sena alliance) has got a clear majority. Yesterday, Devendra Fadnavis was elected BJP legislative leader. We have decided to support his name for the chief minister as he is the only front runner for us. We want one chief minister who continues for the entire five-year term," RPI chief Ramdas Athawale told reporters. -- PTI