MVA PUTS UP BRAVE FACE, CONGRESS SAYS ‘POWER-HUNGRY BJP’ CANNOT TOPPLE GOVT

As Maharashtra experienced yet another political turmoil, Congress veteran Harish Rawat took a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saying the saffron camp is “power-hungry” and can buy people to create instability but will not succeed this time.

Rawat said the Congress’ alliance shares a ruling alliance with the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, and whatever is happening in “their house” is the latter’s responsibility. “Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will look into it,” he added.

Earlier, the state party in-charge of Congress H.K. Patil says all MLAs of the party are intact and loyal to the party.

Sena MP Sanjay Raut and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar have played down any possibility of problems within the ruling coalition of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) of which the Congress party is also a constituent.

Raut, earlier in the day, showed support to Shinde and later said that if there is a misunderstanding, it can be resolved. He added that Sena has asked Shinde to come to Mumbai and hold a discussion.

Raut said the Maharashtra minister’s “stand about an alliance with [the] BJP came out of nowhere”, adding that they are “trying to hold talks” and are prepared to face “any situation”.

Meanwhile, the BJP has ruled down any proposal being sent either by the party or Shinde regarding government formation in Maharashtra. At a press briefing in Mumbai earlier today, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil, however, cautioned that “anything can happen in politics at any time”.

The latest developments come after Thackeray held a meeting today with Sena leaders and state legislators on the ongoing impasse in the western state.