Raut says it is in the interest of Maharashtra that a stable Govt comes to power

He suggest Sena should sticks on formula in writing

Mumbai

Indicating a thaw in the frosty ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday remarked that it is in the interest of Maharashtra that a stable government comes to power. Speaking to newspersons here, Raut however added a proviso expressing hope that everything happens “as decided”. He added that Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had made it clear on October 24 itself that the Sena wants the power sharing agreement in writing from the BJP.

In a day of hectic developments, Sena has convened an urgent meeting of all its newly elected 56 MLAs at Sena Bhavan on October 31. Sources in the Sena disclosed that the party has cancelled Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray’s proposed tour of Konkan region. The meeting is being convened to elect the Shiv Sena Legislature Party (SSLP) leader and most importantly to decide upon joining the BJP in government formation.

Replying to queries about Sena’s demand over Chief Ministers post, equal sharing of power and posts, and that Sena’s other options were open, the Saamana executive editor termed it all as stories being “planted” by the media. Raut reiterated the Sena stand that do as per what was decided. He said that the Sena desires that there is a stable government in Maharashtra for the next five years and that the Chief Minister gets full freedom to run the government. Replying to queries over the BJPs proposal, he clarified that nothing has come to the Sena in writing from the BJP.

Asked to comment upon the offer of support from the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to form the government and Sena’s Niti (doctrine) and Dharma (religious faith) would be, Raut tersely remarked that this country has witnessed both Ramayana and Mahabharata. He however, added that both the Congress and NCP leader Ajit Pawar will continue to say such things till the government is formed.

He welcomed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis remarks that it will be a “Mahayuti” government. Raut argued that the Sena-BJP alliance is still intact and going on at the moment. Commenting upon the Sena’s bargaining power, he said that the Sena has the power to write the “Kundli” (horoscope) of Maharashtra, place zodiacal stars in which house it wants to and make stars out of ordinary people. 

Asked about some 23 odd Sena MLAs being in touch with the BJP leadership eager to support the government, Raut dismissed it as figment of media imagination. Raut argued that he too could claim that about 60 odd BJP MLAs were in touch with him urging Sena to settle the government formation issue at the earliest. He further argued that not a single newly elected MLA from any political party is likely to defect to any other party, not the least from Sena. In a sarcastic comment over the query, he remarked “let them keep counting the chickens”.

Raut further argued that anyone who commands the support of 145 MLAs can become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and that it was the job of the Sena to welcome anyone who becomes the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Asked about the BJPs offer of giving 13 to 16 key ministries in the power sharing agreement, the Sena leader shot back at the media and urged it to refrain from planting any stories in the name of the Sena.