Maharashtra power tussle: Have spoken to Sharad Pawar, says Sanjay Raut
Mumbai/IBNS: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, who has been training his guns against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over government formation in Maharashtra, on Tuesday divulged that he has spoken to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar though kept people in guess work whether the Sena would sever its ties with the saffron party.
Addressing media, Raut said, "I have spoken to Sharad Pawar. I won't lie. Is it a crime to speak to Sharad Pawar or what?"
The logjam in the western state, which has voted the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance to power, entered the 12th day with Sena continuing with its demand for 50:50 power share in the government and rotational Chief Ministership, which have so far been dismissed by the saffron party.
As per the seats tally, the BJP, despite emerging as the single largest party with 105 seats, won't be able to form the government as the majority mark in 288-member assembly is 145.
The Sena, which has 56 seats, is looking to cobble up the required number by adding NCP's 54 and Congress' 44.
Though Raut claimed he has spoken to Pawar, who met Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi in the national capital a day ago, the NCP chief on Monday said, "No one has approached me. They must talk to me first."
Sonia, however, has not spoken about the matter publicly.
Maharashtra caretaker Chief Minister and BJP legislative party leader, Devendra Fadnavis, on Monday met party president Amit Shah in New Delhi and said, "I won't comment on Maharashtra. All I want to say is Maharashtra needs a government and it will happen soon," with an attempt to pose confident and unperturbed by the ongoing stalemate.
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