Sanjay Raut's Saamana-style Sharad Pawar interview to pitch NCP boss for President post?

Amid reports of internal rift in Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday interviewed NCP chief Sharad Pawar for former's party's mouthpiece 'Saamana'. Taking to Twitter, Raut, who is executive editor of daily, said that he conducted a "marathon interview" with Pawar.

interview happened in 'Saamana' style

According to Raut, NCP leader openly expressed his views on events from China to Maharashtra. Raut stated that "strong" interview was done in 'Saamana' style and it will be published and aired soon.

Sena plans to pitch Pawar for President?

Sources say that interview may be part of a strategy by Maha Vikas Aghadi to pitch Sharad Pawar's name for post of President in 2022, over which re has been some amount of speculation in recent times. In January, Raut had said that Pawar's name should be considered by all political parties for 2022 presidential election.

Raut also claimed that by 2022, re will be eugh numbers "on our side" to decide Presidential candidate. Pawar has played a key role in bringing toger Congress and Shiv Sena to form a government in alliance with his party in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena may perhaps be more serious about Sharad Pawar becoming President than it had been in previous Presidential race, where it pitched RSS Supremo Mohan Bhagwat as a dare to its n ally BJP.

'Eugh numbers on our side'

Raut said, "Sharad Pawar is a senior leader of country. I think his name should be considered by all political parties for post of President, election for which will be held in 2022."

Asked about opinion of or political parties on fielding former Union Minister and four-time state Chief Minister, Raut said he has "merely proposed" NCP leader's name. "I think or political parties can also propose or senior candidates for post of President. By 2022, re will be eugh numbers on our side to decide presidential candidate," said Rajya Sabha member.

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Rift in MVA

latest incident of rift emerged when NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Monday called on Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, a day after state government revoked home department's order to transfer 10 DCPs of Mumbai Police.

READ | Amid growing fissures within MVA, Sena MP Sanjay Raut interviews NCP supremo Sharad Pawar

hour-long meeting took place at Thackeray's private residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra. According to sources, meeting was called in view of reports alleging lack of coordination among ruling Shiv Sena and NCP, which holds Home department.

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"It was discussed during meeting to ensure proper coordination on important decisions so that allies are t seen as being on different ps," y said. government on Sunday revoked Home department's order to transfer 10 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) of Mumbai Police.

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(With PTI inputs)