Maharashtra: 'MVA Govt Still Strong,' Sena's Sanjay Raut Dispels Reports Of Internal Rift

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut announced that the Maharashtra government is still strong and stable. He dismissed speculations regarding internal rows in the coalition government.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut (PTI)

New Delhi:  Brushing off the rumours of internal rift in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government of Maharashtra, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut announced that the Maharashtra government is stable and that there are no internal rows in the coalition government. Raut said in his latest tweet (in Marathi)  that the Chief Minister of the state Uddhav Thackeray and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar met yesterday and had an hour-long discussion. Raut also said that those who are trying to spread the news about the instability in Maharashtra should know that it is still strong.

मा. शरद पवार व मुख्यमंत्री ऊदधव ठाकरे यांची काल संध्याकाळी मातोश्रीवर भेट झाली. दोन नेत्यात दिड तास चर्चा झाली. कुणी सरकारच्या स्थिरते बाबत बातम्यांचा धुरळा ऊडवीत असतील तर ती निव्वळ पोटदुखी समजावी. सरकार मजबूत आहे. चिंता नसावी. जय महाराष्ट्र !!@PawarSpeaks @CMOMaharashtra

— Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) May 26, 2020

According to reports, after Pawar along with NCP MP Praful Patel met the Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan, there were speculations that there was trouble in the government as later in the day BJP leader and former Chief Minister Narayan Rane also met the Governor. However, in a brief talk with media later in the day, Raut said: "If prominent leaders like Pawar Ji & Uddhav Ji, sit and hold talks when state and the country are going through difficult times,then, no one should be troubled. On being quizzed about the President's Rule demand by BJP MP Rane, he said: "I've not heard any talk of it (President's rule) from Amit Shah ji or Gadkari ji, so how do I believe anything?" There is growing criticism in the state over the handling of coronavirus crisis by Thackeray and on Friday the opposition BJP leaders wore blacks face masks, bands, and jackets for ‘Maharashtra Bachao' agitation. The opposition leader in the state Devendra Fadnavis also demanded a Rs 50,000 crore package for farmers and workers in the unorganized sectors. Rane has also demanded imposition of President’s rule in the state. He said that the current government has been unable to handle the crisis and that there is chaos in administrative affairs. In a PTI report Rane said, "This government lacked the capacity to run a government. Maharashtra should be put under President's rule. The governor should step in."