Don't compel us to look for alternative, Raut warns ally BJP

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday upped ante against ally BJP, saying his party should t be compelled to look for an alternative to form next government in Maharashtra and asserted re are " saints in politics".

READ: Ramdas Athawale: BJP-Sena Should Form Government Without Any Delay

BJP-Sena tussle over power sharing

BJP and Sena, with 105 and 56 seats, respectively, in new Assembly, are locked in a bitter tussle over sharing of power. Ever since results were anunced on October 24, re have been statements from sections in Congress-NCP, though t officially, hinting that a move by Sena to look beyond BJP for government formation may get positive feelers.

Speaking to a news channel, Raut said:

"We believe in alliance (with BJP) as we contested polls jointly. But BJP should t compel us to commit sin of looking for an alternative for government formation."

READ: Why Is re So Much 'silence'? Asks Sena On Ecomic Slowdown

" one is a saint in politics," he added, possibly a hint to senior ally that committing such a "sin" was t entirely unfathomable for Sena. Raut claimed two parties had agreed on an "equal power" sharing formula and had even made an anuncement on it in Mumbai.

"Ahead of Assembly polls, BJP requested Sena for more share of seats because of large number of turncoats. Sena chief (Uddhav) Thackeray agreed to it, hence y contested on 164 seats and Sena on 124," Raut explained, adding, "We never lie in politics, even if it is for gaining power,"

READ: Amidst Tussle For Power, BJP And Shiv Sena Meet Goverr Separately

Queried on a scenario where BJP goes ahead alone and stakes claim to form government, he said,

" BJP is single largest party at present in state. If y can provide a majority government without Sena's help, I welcome it."

Sanjay Raut on Maharashtra CM post

Hardening stand on equal division of chief ministerial tenure, Raut said, "We will see how y do t share post of chief minister. Both parties agreed on 50:50 power-sharing formula. re is need to explain it in detail." Raut claimed re has been discussion so far between BJP and Sena on government formation. Raut is chief whip of party in Parliament and executive editor of Sena mouthpiece Saamana. 

READ | 'Extended Diwali Wishes To Guv, Meeting t Political': Sena's Raote