Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Monday met Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari amid an ongoing tussle between his party and the BJP. Government formation in the state has been stalled for 11 days since the two parties together won a majority in the assembly polls last month.
The Shiv Sena has demanded equal power-sharing in the state under what it calls was a "50:50 formula" discussed with Amit Shah earlier this year, before the national election in May. According to the Sena, the plan was for chief ministers from each party sharing the five-year term equally. The BJP has firmly rejected the idea and insists Devendra Fadnavis will be chief minister for a full term.
The BJP with 105 seats and Shiv Sena with 56 seats together have a clear majority in the 288-member Maharashtra assembly. The Nationalist Congress Party won 54 seats and Congress finished last in the state election, winning just 44 seats.
The Sena, escalating tension, has said it has the support of 170 MLAs to install its chief minister. The party is seen to have reached out to the NCP whose party chief Sharad Pawar met with Congress President Sonia Gandhi, further fueling speculation.
Here are the live updates on the Maharashtra stalemate:
Maharashtra Government Formation: Sharad Pawar Prime Mover As Sena Amps Up Row With BJP In MaharashtraOpposition stalwart Sharad Pawar is reportedly the prime mover in discussions on an unlikely formula in which his party and the Congress back the Shiv Sena in forming government in Maharashtra to block the BJP
As per the Constitution, a new government must be formed before Saturday.
Marathi Newspaper Compares Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut To BetaalAmid stalemate over government formation in Maharashtra, a Marathi newspaper has compared Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut to "Betaal" -- an Indian mythological character of a spirit known for challenging King Vikramaditya with his witty riddles
"Gifted Balasaheb's book to Governor. After a long time Maharashtra has an experienced governor (and) that is why we have come to meet him," said Sanjay Raut after meeting Govenor Koshyari.
Maharashtra Government: Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena After Meeting Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari, Says "Not Responsible For Stalemate"The deadline to form government in Maharashtra only five days away and silence reigning in the BJP camp, the Shiv Sena today met the Governor for what it called a "non-political, courtesy visit"
"We spoke about the political situation. We kept our talk straightforward. and he (Governor) heard us. We just wanted to tell him that the government not being formed, and we are not responsible for the ensuing confusion," Sanjay Raut said after meeting with the Governor
