In light of the ongoing tussle between the BJP and Shiv Sena over sharing of power after the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the latter’s leader Sanjay Raut upped the ante against the ally on Monday, 28 October, saying his party should not be compelled to look for an alternative to form the next government in Maharashtra, asserting that there are “no saints in politics”.
Earlier on Monday, BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote met state Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari separately. Raj Bhawan confirmed the meet to be a courtesy visit for Diwali.
- The Shiv Sena has insisted on a ‘50:50’ power-sharing formula for the coalition partners
- Newly-elected MLAs of Shiv Sena have demanded that Aaditya Thackeray be made the chief minister in the next government and that there should be a rotational CM in the state
- The BJP won 105 seats, while the Shiv Sena has won 56 seats. The Opposition Congress has won 44 seats, while the NCP has won 54
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2 Independent MLAs Declare Support to BJP
Two Independent MLAs, one of them backed by the Congress-NCP combine in the just-concluded Assembly polls, have declared support to the BJP in Maharashtra, reported PTI.
Don't Compel Us to Look for Alternative: Raut Warns Ally BJP
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut upped the ante against ally BJP on Monday, saying his party should not be compelled to look for an alternative to form the next government in Maharashtra, asserting that there are “no saints in politics”.
Ever since the results were announced on 24 October, there have been statements from sections in the Congress-NCP, though not officially, hinting that a move by the Sena to look beyond the BJP for government formation may get positive feelers.
Fadnavis Meets Governor at Raj Bhawan
Soon after Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote, CM elect Devendra Fadnavis met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at the Raj Bhawan separately.
Diwakar Raote Arrives at Raj Bhawan to Meet Governor
Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote arrives at Raj Bhavan to meet Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.