Maharashtra govt formation: Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut meets Sharad Pawar in Mumbai amid power tussle with BJP

Mumbai: Amid a tussle between the Shiv Sena and the BJP over the sharing of power in Maharashtra, Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday met NCP chief Sharad Pawar, triggering speculation about the possible formation of an alternative government in the state. Raut met Pawar at the latter’s residence in south Mumbai, sources in the Sena said. What transpired between the two leaders was not immediately known, but it sparked speculation about efforts being made for possible formation of a non-BJP government in the state.

Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena: Met Nationalist Congress Party (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. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/AUuxC5WIRu

— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2019

The BJP and Sena are locked in a tug-of-war over the latter’s demand for rotational chief ministership. Though the BJP emerged as the single largest party by winning 105 seats, it lost 17 seats compared to the 2014 tally. The Sena emerged victorious on 56 seats compared to its previous tally of 63 seats. The NCP has won on 54 seats followed by the Congress, with 44. Raut had also met Pawar on the day of results (24 October), but maintained that it was a “private” meeting. Sena president Uddhav Thackeray has been claiming that arrangement for the rotational post of the CM was agreed upon during a formula discussed by himself, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP chief Amit Shah ahead of the 2019 polls. However, the BJP has categorically denied agreeing to any such arrangement and has been insisting that Fadnavis will continue to hold the chief minister’s post for the next five years.