Ajit Pawar, Sanjay Raut hint at tie-up between NCP, Shiv Sena

Mumbai: Fuelling speculation that the Shiv Sena might ally with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress to form the government, NCP lead Ajit Pawar Sunday said that he had received a text message from Sena MP Sanjay Raut, who claimed — earlier in the day — that his party would form the next government and it had the support of 175 MLAs.

Speaking to reporters, Ajit Pawar showed a message from Mr Raut on his phone, which read “Namaskar mi Sanjay Raut. Jai Maharashtra.” He further said, “This means I should call him. I will do so.” However, the former deputy CM later made it clear that Mr Raut and he merely exchanged Diwali greetings.

According to sources, the incident clearly sh-owed the Sena was exploring alternatives as its struggle with its alliance partner, the BJP, over the chief minister’s post is showing no signs of ending.

Ajit Pawar on Saturday raised eyebrows after he claimed that those who are not members of the House or one who is a respected figure can become the chief minister of the state.

This was understood by some as an indication that NCP supremo Sharad Pawar or Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray might get the coveted post if the Sena and NCP decide to come together.

However, the leader scof-fed at this, saying he was just giving the example of Congress leader Vilasrao Deshmukh who had gone on to become the CM even after a shock defeat from his pocket borough, Latur, in 1995.

Mr Raut, who held a press conference earlier in the day, also said that Sharad Pawar was a probable prime ministerial candidate and his stature was too big for the post of state CM. “He is a national leader and it does not matter if he holds a post or not because his political persona is much bigger than any position,” Mr Raut added.

Mr Raut claimed that his party would form the next government in Mahara-shtra. “The Sena has 175 MLAs. Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has made his final decision. The chief minister will be from the Sena and the swearing-in ceremony will be held at ‘Shiv Tirth (Shivaji Park in Dadar),” he asserted.

“All options are open, as stated by Uddhavji. One of the options has been discussed and we have almost reached a conclusion,” he said. However, the Sena leader refused to give the information saying that once it was finalised the Sena chief will make an announcement.

However, speaking on Sena’s claims of the support of 170 MLAs, Aj-it Pawar said he was ‘un-aware’ how the Sena lea-der had arrived at this nu-mber. “The Congress-NCP and other allies have a strength of 110 seats. And we have the mandate to sit in the Opposition,” he said.

Mr Raut is expected to meet the governor today evening, sources claimed.