Sena MP Sanjay Raut says the chief minister can only be from his party
With elections in Maharashtra just a month away, the war of words between long-time allies BJP and Shiv Sena over which party should the chief ministerial candidate be from, has intensified.
A day after Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray delivered a sharp warning to the BJP about 'lust for power,' Sena MP Sanjay Raut today reiterated that the chief minister would only be from the Shiv Sena. (
Read: Lust for More Seats Could End in Divorce, Sena Chief Warns BJP)
"Shiv Sena and BJP relations are good... Chief Minister can be only from our party," Mr Raut said in Mumbai.
The BJP immediately lashed back calling Mr Raut a small leader and saying that there would be a BJP-led government in the state.
"Talks are stopped... Our workers are angry. Sanjay Raut is not a big leader. The next government will be formed under the BJP's leadership," said BJP Spokesperson Madhav Bhandari.
After scoring a big victory in Maharashtra in the national election, the two parties have been wrangling over a pact for the state polls scheduled for October 15. The BJP wants to contest a greater share of the state's 288 seats, crediting the May election verdict to a wave in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It also wants the Sena to accommodate other allies from its share of seats.
The BJP's refusal to compromise telegraphs the party's worry that conceding the Sena's demands could mean giving up its claim on the Chief Minister's post.
The results of the Maharashtra polls will be announced on October 19.
In the national election, the BJP won 23 of the state's 48 seats. The Sena won 18.
The Congress-NCP alliance, which has governed Maharashtra since 1999, won only six seats.