Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut Meets NCP Chief Sharad Pawar Amid Maharashtra Power-Tussle

Amid ongoing tussle over 50:50 formula for the post of Chief Minister in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday met NCP chief Sharad Pawar at his residence. Raut confirmed after the meeting that the politics in Maharashtra were discussed between the two leaders.

"Met Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar at his residence today. I had come to wish him on the occasion of Diwali. We also discussed the politics in Maharashtra," the Shiv Sena MP said. 

Sena has asked the BJP to follow the '50:50 power-sharing formula', claiming that it had been agreed to before the 2019 Lok Sabha election. However, Chief Minister Fadnavis has said that there was no agreement on the 50:50 formula.

While Sena is seeking the chief minister’s post, the BJP has said that it would not compromise on the top executive job in the state.

The meeting comes hours after Raut described as rumours reports that his party has softened its stand on the issue of sharing power in Maharashtra with ruling alliance partner BJP.

Raut described reports in a section of media alluding to the ‘softening of stand’ by the Sena as hearsay.

“The (reports that) Sena has softened (its stand), has compromised and relinquished equitable distribution of posts, are all rumours,” he tweeted.

“This is the public, which knows everything. Whatever will was decided (between BJP and Sena), will happen,” he added.

Raut also dismissed reports of possible split in Shiv Sena. “If anyone is floating rumours of 23 (of total 56) Sena MLAs maintaining a contact with the BJP, then they must have forgotten to mention Aaditya Thackerays name as one of those defectors. And why are they saying 23 MLAs only, why not say all 56,” he said.

Addressing a Press conference on Wednesday, Raut had given an indication of the Sena’s apparent climbdown, saying it is necessary for the party to stay in the BJP-led alliance in the larger interest of Maharashtra, but without compromising on “respect”.

“Individuals are not important but state’s interest is important. Decisions need to be taken in a calm manner and keeping in mind the state’s interest,” the Rajya Sabha member had said.

With PTI Inputs