"More Than 170 MLAs Supporting Us,” Says Sanjay Raut; Claims Party Legislators Getting Threat Calls

Raut alleged that muscle power is being deployed to form government by the BJP. He said “our MLAs are getting threat calls from goons.”

Sanjay Raut/ File Image: PTI

New Delhi: Amid the deadlock over formation of new government in Maharashtra between Bharatiya Janta Party and the Shiv Sena, senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday said that his party will talk to the BJP only on the issue of the chief minister's post and claimed that his party has the support of more than 170 MLAs. The BJP and Shiv Sena, which contested the October 21 state elections together, have been locked in a bitter tussle over sharing of the chief minister's post and are yet to start formal talks over government formation. “We have more than 170 MLAs supporting us, the figure can even reach 175,” Raut claimed. Addressing mediapersons, Raut said that “Yeddyurappa format of politics won’t work in Maharashtra.” He alleged that muscle power is being deployed to form government by the BJP. He said “our MLAs are getting threat calls from goons.” “ Shiv Sena will never kneel down. We will find a solution by discussion. Will take what is rightfully ours,” Raut said. He said that the BJP has already booked Wankhede and Mahalaxmi for oath taking. A number of guest houses across the city have also been booked. But this time Shiv Sena’s leader will only take the oath,” said Raut. He also hailed NCP leader Sharad Pawar and said that Pawar is not juts limited to Maharahstra, he is a national level leader, there is no wrong in talking to him regarding the political situation in the state. The Rajya Sabha member further said that Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray was in Aurangabad on Sunday to take stock of the crop losses in that district due to unseasonal rains last month. Earlier, in his weekly column in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', Raut likened the impasse over government formation to a "chariot stuck in the mud of arrogance". He dared the BJP to impose President's rule in the state, saying such a step would be the party's "biggest defeat of the century". His remarks came against the backdrop of the BJP's stand that it will not share the chief minister's post, and minister Sudhir Mungantiwar's comments that the state may head for President's rule if the new government is not in place by November 7. The BJP and Shiv Sena are currently at loggerheads over sharing of power in the new government. There was also speculation that the Shiv Sena may join hands with the NCP and form government with outside support from the Congress. the recent polls to 288-member state Assembly, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena-56, NCP-54 and Congress-44.