If BJP offers 50:50 deal, Sena may revive its alliance
As the Maharashtra political impasse continues, the Shiv Sena on Wednesday seemed confident that a "popular and strong" government will be formed before December. Earlier on Tuesday, party spokesperson Sanjay Raut promised a Sena-led alliance forming the government by the first week of December, adding that the party may still revive its crumbled alliance with the BJP if they agreed to the power-sharing deal.
All obstructions from last 10-15 days gone: Raut
Raut told ANI that the process of government formation will be completed in the coming 5-6 days. He said, "All the obstructions which were there in the last 10-15 days, regarding the formation of government in Maharashtra, aren't there anymore. You will get to know by 12pm tomorrow that all the obstructions are gone. The picture will be clear by tomorrow afternoon."
Raut spoke on NCP chief's Parliament meet with Modi today
Separately, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik informed that party chief Sharad Pawar will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Parliament at 12 pm on Wednesday. They will discuss the farmers' crisis in Maharashtra, Malik said. Speaking about the meet, Raut said they had requested Pawar to brief PM Modi about the situation as he is well-versed about the situation.
Raut and Pawar held talks on Monday over farmers' crisis
Incidentally, on Monday, Raut met Pawar in Delhi to discuss farmers' concerns following the latter's meeting with Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi. In the past month, 68 farmers have committed suicide, the Shiv Sena stated in party mouthpiece Saamana on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Raut rubbishes NCP Chief's 'no alliance with Sena' claims
Back to politics, Raut on Tuesday said to disregard Pawar's statement where he claimed that the party hadn't held talks with the Sena for an alliance. Pawar's remarks came after his meeting with Gandhi on Monday. "It takes 100 births to understand what Sharad Pawar says," Raut had said, confident that a Shiv Sena-led alliance will come to power in Maharashtra.
Separately, sources claimed BJP is eyeing alliance with NCP
The Sena-BJP's three-decade-old alliance fell apart after it won a majority in the Maharashtra polls over debates of a power-sharing deal. Sena sources on Tuesday told NDTV that they will be "happy to revive" the Sena-BJP alliance still if the BJP agrees to the 50:50 rotational CM policy. Sources also claimed the BJP and the NCP are holding talks for an alliance.
BJP offering Pawar President's position: Sources
The sources told NDTV that the BJP has offered a role in the government for the NCP and the President's position for Pawar. However, after his Monday meeting with Gandhi, Pawar told reporters, "There is no question of supporting the BJP."
What should you look forward to today?
Now, Union Home Minister and BJP President Amit Shah is expected to table a report in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday regarding President's Rule in Maharashtra, which was imposed on November 12 after no political party could prove its majority in the assembly. Meanwhile, NCP and Congress leaders are expected to meet on Wednesday to give final shape to the Common Minimum Program.
What is the NCP-Congress meet about?
NCP leaders Sharad Pawar, Praful Patel, Ajit Pawar and Congress leaders Ahmed Patel, Mallikarjun Kharge, Prithviraj Chavan, Ashok Chavan, among others will be present at the NCP-Congress meet today. After finalizing a CMP draft, the top leadership of the two parties will continue further talks with Shiv Sena. A Congress leader told TOI anonymously that the NCP-Sena-Congress alliance will form government in Maharashtra.
