New Delhi: Even before the results of Maharashtra assembly elections could be out, differences are apparently surfacing i the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. And an exchange of words between state Congress chief Nana Patole and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut over chief ministerial face in Maharashtra has taken place.
As both the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have asserted that MVA will come to power and form the government, the rift became conspicuous when Patole indicated “Congress leadership” in government formation and Raut objected to it.
Most exit polls for Maharashtra assembly elections suggested that the BJP-led Mahayuti will form the government. Reacting to it, Patole said, “Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government will be formed in Maharashtra under the leadership of Congress.”
‘Such announcements must come from Congress high command’
Raut took strong exception to Patole’s statement and pointed out, “I will not accept this and no one else will accept this. We will sit together and decide if Nana Patole has said this and if Nana Patole has the Congress command.”
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader stated that such announcements should come from senior Congress officials.
Raut underlined that the Congress high command has said that if someone is to become the chief minister, it must be declared by Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sonia Gandhi.
Earlier, the parties faced discord regarding seat allocation ahead of the assembly polls. Although they reached a consensus after marathon discussions, the MVA partners failed to resolve the leadership issue.
The Maharashtra assembly elections on 288 seats were wrapped up on Wednesday in one phase. Saturday is the vote counting day. The elections went off peacefully, with sporadic disruptions reported from a couple of places. Maharashtra achieved a voter turnout of 65.02 per cent in the elections, which marks the highest participation rate since the 1995 assembly elections, which saw a turnout of 71.7 per cent.
