Mumbai:
After calling on Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan on Monday evening, a somewhat mellowed down senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut clarified that the Sena is not creating any roadblocks in the formation of a new government. Earlier in the day after calling on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis merely stated that the new government will be formed soon. Later, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar too opined that eventually both the BJP and Sena shall form the government in Maharashtra.
When asked whether the Sena had demanded replacing Fadnavis as the next chief ministerial candidate, the senior Sena leader refuting the contention argued that no one had demanded that the BJP replace Fadnavis as its chief ministerial candidate. To another query on government formation, Raut quipped that the media shall come to know of the swearing-in ceremony at the appropriate time. He further tried to plead ignorance as to why there was this delay over government formation.
Commenting upon his meeting with the Governor, Raut stated that the Sena clarified to the Governor that it is not to be held responsible for the delay in government formation. He further argued that whichever political party has the majority should be invited to form the government. Terming the Governor as a seasoned politician who knew the law very well, he added the Sena did not try to whisper anything into the ears of the Governor on what he needs to do next.
Earlier in the day, Fadnavis after calling on Shah in New Delhi while speaking to the media remarked “I will not react to who is saying what on power equations and neither anyone from the BJP will. Maharashtra needs a new government as soon as possible and it will be formed soon. We are completely sure about it”. He added that the purpose of his meeting Shah was regarding farmers in Maharashtra suffering due to unseasonal rains. He added that the Home Minister will be holding meeting with the Insurance Companies for speedier compensation to the affected farmers.
Prior to meeting the Governor, earlier in the day, Raut had tweeted a photograph of his with Sena president Uddhav Thackeray with a caption “laksh tak pahunchne se pehle safar mein maja ata hai” (it gives you pleasure when you are in journey to your goal). In a hard-hitting riposte to constant criticism from Raut, BJP mouthpiece “Tarun Bharat” in its editorial likened Raut to the mythical character “Bettal” (Vikram aur Bettal) and remarked that if the Sena was going to drag itself behind Raut then it is regrettable. The editorial further likened the criticism of Raut to the fable of “Sheikhchilli” who was hell bent on cutting the branch of the tree that he was sitting upon. When asked for his comments, Raut remarked that he was not aware of existence of any newspaper called Tarun Bharat.
Meanwhile, speaking to newspersons after calling on Congress president Sonia Gandhi, NCP president Sharad Pawar remarked “I have briefed her (Sonia) on the situation in Maharashtra. People of Maharashtra, as of today, are not in favor of BJP. We have decided to meet again. We have mandate to sit in the opposition. Let us see. Neither we have given any proposal to Sena nor Sena has given any proposal to us. At present the numbers are not with us”.
Sources in the BJP disclosed that the top brass in Delhi has refused to step in the matter and directed the state leadership to hold talks with the Sena leadership. Meanwhile, BJP Tourism minister Jaykumar Rawal created a stir by arguing that given the chance at re-election, the BJP would ensure power on its own. On the other hand former state BJP president Raosaheb Danve opined that the talks between the Sena and BJP should take place on the formula agreed upon between Shah and Thackeray. While, state BJP president Chandrakant Patil remarked that Raut should with care express his views.
