Sanjay Raut after meeting Pawar: Not our responsibility to form govt, but will do it

Even as NCP chief Sharad Pawar has given no clarity on government formation in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday met him at his residence in Delhi, minutes after Pawar's press conference. In what may be called a U-turn, Sena's Raut who was till now guaranteeing his party's rule has now said that it is not his party's responsibility as they have not received the largest mandate. However, he added that he is confident that they will form the government. "I am confident that soon we will have a Govt in place," he said.

READ: Ramdas Athawale reveals counseling Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut, urging compromise with BJP

Sharad Pawar meets Sonia Gandhi

Even as Maharashtra remains under President's rule, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Monday met Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi but said that government formation was not discussed. However, he said that he has apprised Sonia Gandhi about the current developments in the state. Denying the talks on the next government formation, Pawar said that his party only recieved 54 seats, then why should he talk about government formation. When asked about meeting Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, Pawar laughed and said that he can meet Raut any day in the Parliament. Earlier in the day, Pawar while speaking to media reportedly said: "Really?" He said, "What talks? Talks regarding what? There are no talks now. BJP-Sena is separate, NCP-Congress is different. How can you say this? They have to pave their path, and we have to pave ours." 

READ | Devendra Fadnavis pays tribute to Balasaheb Thackeray at Shivaji Park amid Maha deadlock

Political crisis in Maharashtra 

After the assembly elections, the Mahayuti alliance partners - BJP and Shiv Sena had a fallout over the chief minister's position in the state. Uddhav Thackray led Shiv Sena said that the chief minister's position should be equally divided between the parties as per the 50:50 formula. However, BJP leader and former CM Devendra Fadnavis denied any such formula.  Both parties are now eyeing to form the next government separately in Maharashtra -which is currently under President's rule. While the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress is still in talks to finalise the Common minimum programme to form an alliance, the BJP has vowed that it will form the next government. The Mahayuti alliance swept Maharashtra on October 24, winning a combined tally of 161 (BJP- 105, Sena -56).

READ | Remembering Balasaheb Thackeray: Fadnavis, Pawar and Gadkari pay tribute to Sena founder

READ | PM Modi hails NCP & BJD for never storming the well; says 'BJP can learn from them'