Ahead of the floor test to prove majority, here is the full proof list of MLAs supporting BJP

Mumbai, November 25: While the major political parties in Maharashtra are slugging it out to form a government amidst twists and turns, all eyes are now on which way 13 Independents and 16 MLAs from smaller parties will swing in the quest to achieve the 145 mark in the 288 member House in floor test.

 

In the polls, results of which were declared on October 24, the BJP got 105 seats, followed by the Sena with 56, the NCP 54 and the Congress 44. For their parts, the BJP and the opposition combine have claimed that they have the requisite numbers and would win the floor test comfortably.

 

 

The MLAs supporting the BJP comprise Independents Ravi Rana (Badnera), Kishore Jorgewar (Chandrapur), Geeta Jain (Mira Bhayander), Mahesh Baldi (Uran), Sanjay Shinde (Karmala), Rajendra Raut (Barshi), Pakash Awade (Ichalkaranji), and Rajendra Patil (Shirol).

 

The BJP also claims the support of PWP MLA Shyamsunder Shinde (Loha), Rashtriya Samaj Paksh's Ratnakar Gutte from Gangakhed, Rajesh Patil from Bhoisar, Kshitij Thakur from Nalasopara, Hitendra Thakur from Vasai, all from the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), and Jan Surajya Shakti Party's Shahuwadi MLA Vinayak Kore.

 

RPI (A) Chief Ramdas Athawale also exuded confidence that the BJP could prove the majority in Maharashtra Assembly. Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were sworn in by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at 8 am on Saturday at a hush hush ceremony in Raj Bhavan in Mumbai after dramatic midnight developments, leading to the lifting of the President's rule.

 

The BJP was propped up by NCP's Ajit Pawar who revolted against his party headed by his uncle Sharad Pawar. Ajit Pawar was made the deputy chief minister. Athawale said," I am confident that many MLAs will come with us. There is no pressure on any MLA. They can come to us on their own will. They will be welcomed. The Fadnavis government will prove its majority on November 30."

 

He said Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and Congress should have decided to form the government earlier. "Farmers in Maharashtra want a government, which can resolve their problems, and also do good to the common public," he added.

 

Meanwhile, Achalpur MLA and Prahar Janshakti Party (PJP) chief Bacchu Kadu, who had given the Sena a letter of support several days ago, on Sunday confirmed that he and his two legislator colleagues would continue to back the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.

 

Also, Krantikari Shetkari Paksh (KSP) MLA Shankarrao Gadakh has also given a letter of support to the Sena, which has also managed to garner backing of Ashish Jaiswal (Ramtek), Narendra Bhondekar (Bhandara), Manila Gavit (Sakri) and Chandrakant Patil (Muktainagar).

 

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court said the issue of floor test, demanded by the Congress-NCP-Sena combine, would be dealt with on Monday only after perusing the two letters, of Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari inviting Fadnavis and of the BJP leader staking his claim to form the government, it has demanded.