MUMBAI, OCT 14: Chief Minister Narayan Rane and Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde are locked in a war of words over staking claim to form the Government.``I personally feel that Munde alone is responsible for the present political crisis. For obvious political reasons, he refused to accompany me to the Governor to stake claim to form the Government,'' Rane said.On one hand, Munde has assured Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, as well as senior BJP Minister Pramod Mahajan, that he has accepted Rane's leadership, on the other hand, the over-ambitious Deputy Chief Minister has continued his hectic political activity to become the Chief Minister, Rane said.``I am of the opinion that owing to indifferent attitude of Munde, we are unable to form the Government, despite the fact that we have a working majority,'' Rane added.Rane alleged that ever since the declaration of results, Munde, who wanted to become Chief Minister himself, was not cooperating with him for the formation of the Government.Rane saidthat unfortunately, there was complete erosion of political credibility due to the unexpected rise in personal ambitions. ``I found that politicians were using the offices for personal gains, instead of for welfare of the state as a whole,'' the Chief Minister remarked.On the number of legislators required for the formation of the Government, Rane said that while the strength of the alliance stood at 125, it was in a position to seek support of additional 20 legislators required for the purpose. ``My feeling is that Munde is putting spokes in our efforts. Instead of helping me garner support, he is creating trouble for the alliance,'' Rane added.On the other hand, Munde has categorically denied these allegations. ``Though there is no substance in the allegations, I do not want to make any comments on them. I can only say that I am making all possible efforts to instal the alliance Government,'' Munde added.Munde said that since the alliance had no clear majority, his party took a decision not toapproach the Governor to stake claim to form the Government. ``Without securing a clear majority, the Governor may invite us to form the Government, but we will face an embarrassing situation in the event we are voted out immediately after the installation of the Government,'' the Deputy Chief Minister said.On Bal Thackeray's statement, Munde said his party was committed to ensure that under no circumstances the alliance collapses over the issue of chief ministership. ``We will not accept the suggestion of Thackeray. Since Rane has been elected leader of the Sena-BJP Legislature Party, I am not in the race for the coveted post. Our support to Shiv Sena is unconditional,'' Munde added.Munde denied that the BJP was negotiating a deal with Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party. ``That is a false allegation. We have no such plans for an alliance with NCP,'' Munde pointed out.Munde said that the alliance, with the help of like-minded parties, will make all possible efforts to form theGovernment.
