Maharashtra Government Formation: Congress Keeps Doors Open For Shiv Sena to Form Anti-BJP Alliance
Keeping doors open for its ideological-cum-political opponent Shiv Sena for government formation in Maharashtra, State Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat said that "we will see what can be worked out".
Mumbai, October 25: Keeping doors open for its ideological-cum-political opponent Shiv Sena for government formation in Maharashtra, State Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat said that "we will see what can be worked out". Balasaheb Thorat did not rule out an alliance with Shiv Sena and said that the Congress will hold a meeting with leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to take a final call. Maharashtra Election Results Aftermath: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut Posts Cartoon Taking Potshots at Alliance Partner BJP.
"We have not received any proposal from Shiv Sena yet. But if anything comes from them, we will get in touch with the party high command in Delhi and see what can be worked out," Thorat told a press conference on Friday, a day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fell way short of the majority mark in the Maharashtra assembly elections. "We (Congress and NCP) will hold a meeting and decide about it," he added. Assembly Elections Results 2019: BJP-Shiv Sena Alliance Gets Clear Mandate in Maharashtra; Hung House in Haryana.
While the Congress seemed to be hopeful of forming an anti-BJP alliance, the Shiv Sena has ruled out a breakup with its traditional ally. On Thursday, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that his party and the BJP will form the next government in Maharashtra. Asked about the possibility of the Shiv Sena embracing the NCP and Congress to form a government, Raut said: "No, we fought the polls in alliance with the BJP. We will go ahead with the tie-up."
NCP supremo Sharad Pawar has also ruled out going with the Shiv Sena. "We will not go with Shiv Sena. NCP-Congress and other allies will decide together, the future course of action," Pawar told reporters on Thursday. "People have asked us to sit in the opposition. The thought of trying to get into power doesn't even cross our minds. We will work to expand our base," he further said.
In the state assembly elections, the BJP-Shiv Sena secured 161 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha, crossing the half-way mark of 144 seats. The BJP won 105 seats while ally Shiv Sena bagged 56 seats. The NCP put up a magnificent show by winning 54 seats and ally Congress won 44 with a combined tally of 98 seats.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 25, 2019 04:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).