Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray expressed his displeasure to BJP president Rajnath Singh over the allocation of heavy industries ministry portfolio to Anant Geete. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray expressed his displeasure to BJP president Rajnath Singh over the allocation of heavy industries ministry portfolio to Anant Geete.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's presence at Narendra Modi's grand oath-taking ceremony with his family was seen as the party's acceptance of a mere berth in the prime minister's Cabinet. By Monday night, the situation changed rapidly. The portfolio distribution left a sour taste in the Shiv Sena leader's mouth. Shiv Sena's sole member in the Cabinet, Anant Geete, got a relatively light-weight ministry, that of 'heavy industries'. While other ministers have reported to work, Geete decided not to assume office till his party's gripe was resolved. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray extended his stay in the capital to talk to BJP after this announcement, with the expectation that Modi will at least allocate them a better portfolio.

Shiv Sena, after its healthy performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, was expecting a minimum of five berths, three in the Cabinet and two ministries of state, one of which could be allotted to its ally Shetkari Sanghatan. But since talks regarding distribution never happened, Shiv Sena leaders ended up informing about their expectations to BJP leader Rajnath Singh. But the party came to know a day before the oath-taking ceremony that they will get only one Cabinet berth. The Shiv Sena chief expressed his displeasure to Rajnath Singh.

Shiv Sena leader Anant Geete was expecting a better portfolio but got a relatively light-weight ministry, that of 'heavy industries'. Shiv Sena leader Anant Geete was expecting a better portfolio but got a relatively light-weight ministry, that of 'heavy industries'.

Singh, who himself seemed clueless about portfolio distribution, could merely promise, "Trust us." But the proceedings didn't go well for Shiv Sena and the oath-taking ceremony arrived. Shiv Sena had two Cabinet ministers with power and heavy industries portfolios, and one MoS with finance portfolio in Vajapayee's Cabinet, so the party expected two good portfolios in the Modi team.

BJP has good representation from Maharashtra in the Modi Cabinet. It got five ministries - two Cabinet and three MoS, out of which two MoS have got independent charge. Shiv Sena leaders are already unhappy with BJP's demand for more seats in the state Assembly, and now they are not getting heard on their displeasure. BJP has got 23 Lok Sabha seats and Shiv Sena 18. Uddhav Thackeray's party thinks that the BJP is arm-twisting their most loyal partner since the latter is in a commanding position. In the next six months, Shiv Sena does not want to battle in the Assembly elections with their weak position in alliance. They think it may affect their chances of having a chief minister from their party if a Shiv Sena-BJP alliance managed to defeat the ruling Congress-NCP alliance . However, the current crisis may not end soon and will depend on who will blink first.

