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Independents backing BJP-Sena divided

The Independent legislators supporting the minority Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra are divided over the spoils of office.

While those who are already ministers of state are seeking their elevation to cabinet rank, several others, who continue to be mere MLAs, have been demanding their pound of flesh. And have accused the former of being greedy.

Calling on Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Tuesday, the ministers demanded that they be elevated to cabinet rank.

While the ministers asserted that three years were enough to evaluate their performance, Thackeray asked them to explain the alliance's debacle in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

Caught unawares, the ministers -- Vijaykumar Gavit, Anil Deshmukh, Harshavard Patil, Babasaheb Dhabekar and Tukaram Dighole -- had to return empty-handed, but not before the meeting had ruffled the feathers of several other Independents who have been 'starved of positions'.

Two of the MLAs -- Gajdhar Rathod and Dhandorom -- feel the ministers should not have called on Thackeray without taking them into confidence.

Launching a scathing attack on the ministers, Rathod summed up the Independents's mood, ''Time has come to evaluate the ministers's performance and treat them accordingly.''

Focusing on the alliance's inability to attract the dalit votes, Rathod said that not a single dalit Independent is in the ministry.

Uddhav Thackeray, the Sena chief's son, reportedly favours the inclusion of more Independents in the cabinet.

Compiled by Prasanna D Zore from the Marathi media

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