Maharashtra: Shiv Sena receives support from another Independent MLA

As the power tussle continues between BJP and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, uncertainty over government formation in Maharashtra prevails more than a week after the state's election results were announced. Amidst this tussle, one more Independent MLA from Shirol, Rajendra Patil Yadravkar, extended support to Shiv Sena on Monday. 

READ | Sena Will Split If Fadnavis Forms Govt Sans Its Support: MLA

Earlier, Sena had support of seven independent MLA’s

In the recently concluded polls, Shiv Sena won 56 seats and had earlier successfully received the support of seven independent MLA’s. Patil is among the MLA’s who have supported Shiv Sena after the announcement of election results. Other MLAs who have lent their support to the party include Manjula Gavit from Sakri, Chandrakant Patil from Muktainagar, Bachchu Kadu from Achalpur, Rajkumar Patel from Melghat, Ashish Jaiswal from Ramtek, Narendra Bhondekar from Bhandara, and Shankar Rao Gadakh from Newasa Assembly constituency.

READ | BJP Minister: 'Ready To Fight Election Again Without Shiv Sena'

Sena has support of 170 MLAs: Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena senior leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday claimed that the party has 170 MLAs supporting them and that the figure can even reach 175. Raut while speaking to reporters also said that Shiv Sena does not play 'double games' and the party will take what is rightfully theirs. "This is not about pride or ego. They have a figure of 105. They should have staked their claim to form the government on October 24 itself," he further added. Earlier, Shiv Sena's mouthpiece 'Saamana' had stated that the BJP could not prove the majority if it claims to form the government without taking it on board. 

Sena leader, Raut earlier had dared the BJP to impose President's rule in the state, saying such a step would be the party's "biggest defeat of the century". His remarks came against the backdrop of the BJP's stand that it will not share the Chief Minister's post and minister Sudhir Mungantiwar's comments that the state may head for President's rule if the new government is not in place by November 7.

READ | Maharashtra: Sanjay Raut Claims Shiv Sena Has Support Of 170 MLAs

Ravi Rana dubs the Sena as "very arrogant"

Independent MLA Ravi Rana, who has extended support to the BJP in Maharashtra, on Monday claimed that "some 25 MLAs" of the Shiv Sena were in touch with him over the formation of the next government. The MLA from Badnera in Amravati district dubbed the Sena as "very arrogant" and claimed the Uddhav Thackeray-led party will split and nearly two dozen MLAs will join the BJP if Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis forms the next government without its saffron ally.

READ | Sanjay Raut: Talks With BJP Will Only Be On Chief Minister's Post

(INPUTS FROM ANI)