Amid spar with BJP, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut meets Sharad Pawar

Ever since the results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections were declared last week, the Sena and the BJP have been at loggerheads over the division of power.

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | Updated: October 31, 2019 09:00 PM IST

3 min read

sanjay raut meets sharad pawar, shiv sena meets ncp chief, shiv sena bjp fight, maharashtra government formation

NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.

Amid the ongoing tussle with its ally BJP over the chief minister’s post in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday met NCP chief Sharad Pawar at the latter’s residence in Mumbai. Raut, however, called it a “courtesy visit” as his meeting with Pawar triggered speculations among the political circles.

“Met NCP chief Sharad Pawar at his residence today. I had come to wish him on the occasion of Diwali. We also discussed the politics in Maharashtra,” Raut was quoted as saying by ANI.

Ever since the results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections were declared last week, the Sena and the BJP have been at loggerheads over the division of power. While the Sena has insisted on a ’50-50′ formula, the saffron party claimed that no such deal was made prior to the elections.

Earlier in the day, the Sena accused the BJP of enacting “second act” of the “use and throw” policy while dealing with its ally. Raut dismissed reports that his party has “softened its stand” on the issue.

“The (reports that) Sena has softened (its stand), has compromised and relinquished equitable distribution of posts, are all rumours,” he tweeted.

“This is the public, which knows everything. Whatever will was decided (between BJP and Sena), will happen,” he added.

On Wednesday, the NCP indicated that it was ready to make a bid for power if the BJP failed to pass the floor test. “The BJP has emerged as the single largest party. It should stake claim for government formation and prove its majority. If it fails to prove its majority, then NCP will make the bid for power,” NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik had said.

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The Congress, meanwhile, today said in case the Sena sends any proposal over government formation to the party, the same will be conveyed to the opposition party’s central leadership.

“The Shiv Sena will have to take some steps if the BJP, being the single largest party, fails to form government. In case the Shiv Sena proposes something (on government formation to the Congress), we will convey the same to our central leadership,” Prithviraj Chavan told a news channel.

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