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 the 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 the next Chief Minister. Moreover, he added that the governor, Bhagat Singh Koshyari gave 48 hours to Sena to 'show willingness to form the 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 the governor that they cannot form the government. BJP never had the intention to give us the CM post.  Yesterday after Uddhav Thackrey's consultation, Sawant took the decision to resign. If they (BJP) are not ready to stay firm on their talks, then what kind of relationship is this." On forming the 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 the 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 the party will make the decision if the governor invites them to form the government. Speaking to news agency ANI, he said that the final decision will be taken after meeting with party leaders and reiterated the 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 another twist in the ongoing Maharashtra political crisis as Pawar had announced earlier that his party will sit in Opposition. 

"If the governor invites us we will think what we will do. After discussions, only the final decision will be taken. If Sena wants to come with us then they 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 the other side, will be meeting NCP chief Sharad Pawar and then 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 announced on Monday that he is resigning from the Union Government and will hold a press conference at 11 AM. Earlier on Sunday, speaking minutes after BJP's announcement, Sena's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said that if Uddhav Thackray has said that there will be Sena CM then there will be Sena CM at any cost. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray met the Sena MLAs in Hotel Retreat where they have been holed up to prevent poaching by other sides in view of political crisis in the state. Both the Mahayuti alliance partners are at loggerheads over the Chief Minister's post in the state.

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

BJP says will not form government

BJP on Sunday evening met governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and informed the governor that it will not form the government in the state. Addressing a press conference after meeting the governor, BJP leader Chandrakant Patil said that Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena can stake claim to form the government. He said that Sena has betrayed the mandate of the people of Maharashtra.

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

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