Ex-CM Devendra Fadnavis holds 2-hour meet with Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut; BJP explains why

In a significant development, ex-CM Devendra Fnavis met with Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut at a luxury hotel in Mumbai and held a 2-hour meeting on Saturday. While this meeting between former allies h set political circle atwitter, BJP Maharashtra spokesperson Keshav Uphye clarified that meeting was t political in nature. Fnavis met with Raut - Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana's executive editor for an interview, said Uphye.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Tally cross 59 lakh; PM touts India's vaccine production at UNGA

Fnavis meets with Raut

Uphye ded that Fnavis has told Raut to air interview unedited. He ded that while interview has been fixed, format of same was under discussion. Fnavis is likely to give Raut an interview after Bihar polls are completed by vember. Fnavis will be second n-Shiv Sena leer which Saamana will be interviewing after NCP Supremo Shar Pawar.

Shar Pawar says 't remote control in MVA govt'; opens up on BJP-Sena failure

Raut and Fnavis 

Raut has been vocal in his attack on BJP since 35-year alliance split over a variety of issues like - Ram mandir, Jalyukt Shivar scheme, Metro car shed, NRC, CAA, Farm Bills, COVID and most recent - Sushant Singh Rajput's death probe and Kangana Ranaut's attack on Mumbai police. While CM Uddhav Thackeray has slammed Fnavis' extensive visits to various parts of Maharashtra amid Coronavirus pandemic, Raut h praised BJP leer, saying that he has been effectively carrying out his role as a Leer of Opposition. Fnavis too has criticised Sena government's ineffective COVID manment, SC stay on Maratha reservation, scrapping gram panchayat polls amid pandemic.

Earlier in day, Raut h criticized Election Commission for holding Bihar elections amid pandemic. He opined, "Elections in Bihar should be fought on issues of development, law and order, and good governance, but if se issues have exhausted, n issues from Mumbai can be sent as parcel". Fnavis is BJP's election in-charge in Bihar along with Bhupendra Yav.

Uddhav Thackeray slams Fnavis' 'Maharashtra tour' of COVID areas, says 'Use techlogy'

BJP-Sena fallout

Prior to 2019 Maharashtra state polls, Shiv Sena h reiterated that it will accept only 50:50 formula, while BJP denied ever having agreed to such a formula. It allegedly offered 13 cabinet portfolios to Sena while keeping 26 for its ministers. Apart from Sena's portfolio demand, party h demanded a sharing of 2.5 years in CM post too; this has been refused by Devendra Fnavis, stating, ' next govt will be formed under a BJP CM.' With respite to delock, Sena allied with NCP-Congress and Thackeray was sworn-in as first Thackeray CM on vember 27.

Bihar polls: Congress says 'rey to fight on all 243 seats', RJD's state secretary quits