Sena will lead govt for 25 yrs: Raut

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena Member of Parliament and spokesperson Sanjay Raut, who turned 58 on Friday, stated, that the party will rule Maharashtra for 25 years, not just five years.

“The next government will be formed under the leadership of the Sena. No one can stop it. Sena will be leading from the front and rule the state for 25 years not just next 5 years,” Raut told a press conference.

Raut stated whether it is a single-party government or an alliance, the party's primary objective will be to take forward the ongoing developmental projects and tackle the ongoing issues of drought, unemployment and unseasonal rains.

He added the final draft of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) is ready and a final call will collectively be taken by the high commands of the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress.

“The leaders, who are joining hands with us, are experienced administrators. It will benefit the party to a large extent,” added the Saamna executive editor. Speaking on the alliance with Congress, which was once a Sena arch-rival, Raut stated, the Congress being the oldest party has the legacy of playing a major role in India’s freedom movement.

He asserted the government would not only be formed, but would also complete its full tenure. “There are instances where parties with different ideologies came together and formed the government. In Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar had led an alliance when Jan Sangh was its part,” said the politician. Sena reached out to the Congress and the NCP to form a coalition government after its demand for power-sharing, including the rotational chief minister and equal number of portfolios, were declined by its pre-poll ally BJP.