Sanjay Raut warns ally BJP: Don't compel us to look for alternative

"Sena chief (Uddhav) Thackeray agreed to it, hence they contested on 164 seats and the Sena on 124," Raut explained, adding, "We never lie in politics, even if it is for gaining power". Queried on a scenario where the BJP goes ahead alone and stakes claim to form the government, he said, "The BJP is the single largest party at present in the state. If they can provide a majority government without the Sena's help, I welcome it." Hardening stand on equal division of the chief ministerial tenure, Raut said, "We will see how they do not share the post of chief minister. Both the parties agreed on 50:50 power-sharing formula. There is no need to explain it in detail." Raut claimed there has been no discussion so far between the BJP and Sena on government formation. Raut is the chief whip of the party in Parliament and executive editor of Sena mouthpiece Saamana.

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