No one can buy our MLAs: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut on Thursday morning reiterated that the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra will be from his party while asserting that no one can buy their MLAs. 

Raut’s remarks come amid the ongoing conflict between Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over power-sharing. The government formation in Maharashtra has been stalled since the declaration of assembly poll results. 

In its editorial published in ‘Saamana’ on Thursday, Shiv Sena accused its ally BJP of poaching MLAs and using “money power” to break the deadlock over government formation. 

While talking to the reporters, Raut said that he is not worried about his party’s MLAs as they all are devoted to Shiv Sena. Raut also ended the speculations of Shiv Sena MLAs being shifted to a certain resort. 

“…we don’t have to shift our MLAs, it is all a rumour. Our MLAs are devoted to the party. Those who are spreading such rumours should care about their legislators,” said Sanjay Raut. 

Raut further asserted that anyone with the majority can form the government in Maharashtra. If BJP has the strength of 145 MLAs, it can easily stake claim to form the government. 

Since the deadlock in Maharashtra began over government formation, Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has been vocal in criticising BJP for not “honouring the 50-50 power-sharing deal. 

On Twitter, Raut tweeted a few lines from Hindi Poet Dushyant Kumar’s work which read: “Hangama Khada Karna mera maqsad nahi, meri Koshish hai ki Surat badalni chahiye (Creating ruckus is not my motive, my attempt is to bring about a change).”

The term for Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra ends on November 9 and the deadline to form another government is near. However, there has been no consensus between Shiv Sena and BJP alliance to form the government in the state. The deadlock over power-sharing continues while Shiv Sena and BJP are both adamant on their demands.

Also Read - Days Prior To The Government Formation Deadline, Devendra Fadnavis Meets RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar had earlier stated that the BJP is responsible to form the government in Maharashtra. The people of Maharashtra have given majority to the Sena and BJP alliance.