The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have made little headway in the negotiations to form the government in Maharashtra, days after the two parties secured the state Assembly in the recently concluded elections.
The logjam over the 50:50 deal had entered its fourth day when, on Monday evening, senior Sena leader told NDTV that "no one is a saint" in politics, adding the BJP shouldn't compel it to explore other alternatives.
When asked if the Maratha party was open to taking support from Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Raut said the party didn't want to commit that "sin", but it shouldn't be pushed to taking that step.
"Uddhav Thackeray (Sena Chief) has clearly said we will wait for the BJP. But don't compel us to look for other alternatives. We don't want to commit that sin," Raut told the TV channel.
"We can't deny the possibility (of taking Congress-NCP support). No one is a sadhu-sant (saint) in politics, though the Sena still believes in its principles."
Raut's statement about exploring other options comes despite NCP chief Sharad Pawar clearly saying that his party will sit in the Opposition.
Raut, when asked if Sena would settle for the post of deputy chief minister, rejected the proposition, saying the original terms of the arrangement should be adhered to.
The BJP and Shiv Sena have had this sort of political relationship for years now. Even during their last term together, many opined Sena acted more like a party sitting in Opposition than the one part of the ruling coalition.
Raut once again said there was still time. "They don't have a majority and they are the biggest party. If they can do without the Sena, I welcome that and congratulate them," he said.
The saffron party, on the othe rhand, has expressed confidence that Maharashtra will once again see a BJP-led government.
BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao noted the BJP has emerged as the single largest party "by a wide margin" with its tally of seats being more than the combined total of the opposition alliance of the Congress and NCP.
"With this public support, Maharashtra will soon get a BJP-led state government that will last a full five term and fulfil people's aspirations. Maharashtra results are an endorsement of public support for a BJP-led government," he told PTI.
Asked about Sena's demand for an equal division of power with many of its leaders seeking the post of chief minister for the party, Rao said the BJP leadership has taken note of their statements and will respond to them appropriately.
