Cong, NCP should bury differences; decide common minimum program: Raut

Amid uncertainty over government formation in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Monday addressed media and said that after Uddhav Thackeray's order, Union Minister and Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant resigned. He reiterated that Shiv Sena will give Maharashtra next Chief Minister. Moreover, he added that goverr, Bhagat Singh Koshyari gave 48 hours to Sena to 'show willingness to form government', but had given BJP 72 hours. 

Speaking to media, Raut said: " I believe this is an insult of Maharashtra people - that BJP went and told goverr that y cant form government. BJP never had intention to give us CM post.  Yesterday after Uddhav Thackrey's consultation, Sawant took decision to resign. If y (BJP) are t ready to stay firm on ir talks, n what kind of relationship is this." On forming government with NCP and Congress, Raut said that all leaders should work on Common Minimum program for betterment of Maharashtra. Raut went on to question BJP over aligning with PDP's Mehbooba Mufti in J&K. 

READ: BJP declines to form Maharashtra govt; this is what may happen next

NCP meeting underway

Mumbai NCP chief Nawab Malik on Monday morning said that party will make decision if goverr invites m to form government. Speaking to news ncy ANI, he said that final decision will be taken after meeting with party leaders and reiterated condition of Sena's separation from NDA. Sources said that on Monday at 10 AM, NCP will hold a core committee meeting at YB Chavan centre in Mumbai. Malik's statement comes as yet ar twist in ongoing Maharashtra political crisis as Pawar had anunced earlier that his party will sit in Opposition. 

"If goverr invites us we will think what we will do. After discussions, only final decision will be taken. If Sena wants to come with us n y should first get separate from NDA. We will take decision after discussion only," Malik Said while speaking to ANI. 

Congress meeting underway

Meanwhile, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi also called for an emergency core committee meeting in Delhi. Sena's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, at or side, will be meeting NCP chief Sharad Pawar and n leave for Delhi to meet Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. All 44 Congress MLAs are currently holed up in a resort in Rajasthan amid fears of poaching.

READ: BJP tells Maha Guv it won't form govt, dares Sena to go with Cong-NCP

Sena's Arvind Sawant resigns 

Union Minister and Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant has anunced on Monday that he is resigning from Union Government and will hold a press conference at 11 AM. Earlier on Sunday, speaking minutes after BJP's anuncement, Sena's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said that if Uddhav Thackray has said that re will be Sena CM n re will be Sena CM at any cost. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray met  Sena MLAs in Hotel Retreat where y have been holed up to prevent poaching by or sides in view of political crisis in state. Both Mahayuti alliance partners are at loggerheads over Chief Minister's post in state.

READ: Nawab Malik: 'NCP may think about govt formation, if guv invites us'

BJP says will t form government

BJP on Sunday evening met goverr Bhagat Singh Koshyari and informed goverr that it will t form government in state. Addressing a press conference after meeting goverr, BJP leader Chandrakant Patil said that Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena can stake claim to form government. He said that Sena has betrayed mandate of people of Maharashtra.

Anuncing BJP's decision that y conveyed to Maharashtra goverr on Sunday evening, Chandrakant Patil said: "In elections, BJP, RPI, Sena and or parties were given mandate. Yesterday, goverr invited BJP to form government. We fought for alliance, got votes for alliance. Sena does t want to be part of alliance. Sena chose to insult mandate. We won't form government. We informed goverr. If Sena has to go with NCP, Congress, we wish m good luck."

READ: Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant anunces resignation from BJP government