Mumbai . Shiv Sena (Ubhatha) leader Sanjay Raut claimed that the selection of the Chief Minister is being delayed for the last eight days due to the unexpected mandate in Maharashtra. In the recent state assembly elections, Mahayuti has won 230 out of 288 seats. Raut indicated that due to differences in the Grand Alliance, Caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had to go to his village in Satara district amid efforts to form the government. The important Mahayuti meeting scheduled for Friday was postponed due to Shinde leaving for his native village, delaying government formation even a week after the election results were declared.
Raut said, “Eight days have passed since the results were declared but Maharashtra has not been able to get a Chief Minister. The acting Chief Minister (Eknath Shinde) has gone to his village. Why is this happening?…The results are unexpected and contrary to people’s wishes. Agitations are taking place across the state.” He alleged that the sudden increase in the number of votes cast in the last hours of polling had played a major role in the victory of the Mahayuti and the BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra and Haryana respectively.
He told reporters, “76 lakh votes were cast from 5 pm to 11.30 pm (on November 20 in Maharashtra). What happened to these 76 lakh votes? Similarly, 14 lakh votes increased in Haryana.” He said that the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is studying the election results and the reasons behind it. In Maharashtra, Mahayuti won 230 out of 288 seats, with the Bharatiya Janata Party getting the maximum of 132 seats.
At the same time, MVA constituents Shiv Sena (Ubhatha), Congress and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) won a total of 46 seats. Raut clarified that the MVA is united and rejected reports of any rift in the opposition in the wake of the election defeat. Asked whether Shiv Sena (Ubhatha) would contest the upcoming local body elections alone, Raut said, “Nobody in the Maha Vikas Aghadi is talking about contesting the elections independently.” There is a difference between Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The right decision will be taken at the appropriate time.” Raut said that Congress and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (Ubatha) chief Uddhav Thackeray are in constant talks.
