Shiv Sena declares 'its govt' at the helm in Mah, no truce with BJP on this issue

“The ‘grahan’ (eclipse) over the state will soon wipe out and the ‘shapath-grahan’ (swearing-in) ceremony of the new government will be held very soon,” Raut said confidently.

He said the decision of formation of government in Maharashtra will be taken in Maharashtra only – indirectly ruling out any central intervention from its ally Bharatiya Janata Party, as speculated in some quarters.

“This is our struggle for truth, justice and rights. Our President (Uddhav Thackeray) is sought to be painted a liar… Nobody talks about this… Why promises made are not being fulfilled, there is no word on this,” Raut said sternly.

Assuring that even Thackeray wanted a ‘stable government’, Raut said very soon a Shiv Sena-led government will be sworn-in which will change the trend of state politics and be in tune with the public mandate.

To a query whether he had spoken with Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar, Raut shot back, “Yes, I have met him and spoken with him – Is it a crime? He’s a respected senior national leader, what’s wrong if we discuss any issues? All should talk with him… We know who all are in touch with him…”

With barely three days left before the tenure of the Maharashtra assembly expires on Friday, all political parties face anxious moments for the next move of the ‘king-maker’ (Shiv Sena) which would decide who will command the state’s political ‘remote control’ for the next five years - or face the prospect of a stint of President’s Rule.

(Image wikimedia:commons)