Maharashtra: Congress alleges horse-trading amid Sena-BJP power tussle

Even as state of Maharashtra remains without a government after 15 days since assembly election results have been anunced, Congress party has levelled charges of horse-trading on BJP. Amid tussle between Mahayuti alliance partners, Congress' Vijay Vadettiwar on Friday said that BJP is trying to break Congress MLAs. Ar Congress leader Husain Dalwai said that his party will t let BJP form government in Maharashtra. With political crisis in state, resort politics have also begun with Shiv Sena reportedly sending its MLAs to Hotel Rangasharda and Congress sending its MLAs to a hotel in Jaipur. 

In a sensational charge, sources informed that Vadettiwar has alleged that Congress MLAs are getting calls and confirmed that MLAs have gone to Jaipur. However, he has added that 'it is a personal picnic by MLAs'. "Our MLAs are safe in ir place and we will t let any MLA go anywhere. We have t moved any MLAs anywhere. MLAs must have gone by ir own for ir personal tour. If y’ve gone toger, it’s a picnic organized by mself. High Command will decide whatever is right in Maharashtra," he said. 

Meanwhile, exuding confidence that Congress MLAs will follow party high command's direction, Dalwai while speaking to news ncy ANI said:  "All Congress MLAs are toger. MLA will break away from party. MLAs will follow what party high command. We'll t allow BJP to form government in state. National Congress Party (NCP) is our ally, y are with us. People have voted for us to save Maharashtra." He added, "I am fully sure that BJP will t be able to poach our MLAs.Some Congress leaders who defected before elections are planning to return.

READ: CJI Ranjan Gogoi to meet top UP officials ahead of Ayodhya verdict

'Hotel politics' in Maharashtra

Earlier on Thursday, Shiv Sena leader Abdul Sattar revealed that party was planning to send its MLAs to a resort — Hotel Rangasharda, amid alleged poaching attempts. However, Sena's Sanjay Raut dismissed such reports. On or hand, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has repeatedly ruled out a coalition with Shiv Sena saying, 'We have mandate to sit in Opposition'. Meanwhile, BJP ally and RPI chief, Ramdas Athawale has said that BJP chief Amit Shah has plans of interfering in deadlock, leaving state leaders to solve tussle mselves.

READ | BJP, Shiv Sena had consensus before polls on CM's post: Raut

BJP-Sena deadlock

While Shiv Sena has reiterated that it will accept only 50:50 formula, BJP has denied of ever having agreed to such a formula reportedly offering 13 cabinet portfolios to Sena while keeping 26 for its ministers. Apart from Sena's portfolio demand, party has demanded a sharing of 2.5 years in CM post too ; this has been refused by CM Devendra Fadnavis, stating, ' next govt will be formed under a BJP CM.' With respite to deadlock, Sena has been eyeing to gain support of NCP-Congress alliance. BJP too has been gaining Independent MLAs support to fortify its position.

READ | 'Patience for one decade...': Subramanian Swamy's advice to Shiv Sena

Poll results in Maharashtra 

saffron alliance swept Maharashtra on October 24, winning a combined tally of 161 (BJP- 105, Sena -56) to award CM Devendra Fadnavis a second term. But comeback of 'Maha- Agadhi' alliance (NCP-Congress) took Mahayuti by surprise as NCP bagged 54 seats while languishing Congress too bagged 44 seats. Though BJP-Shiv Sena alliance will form next government, it was handed a diminished mandate compared to 2014 where it won 185 seats.

READ: Uddhav Thackeray to chair meeting at party headquarters in Matoshree