MUMBAI: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday met Governor Bhagatsingh Koshyari along with Minister Ramdas Kadam on Monday. In the meeting with governor, Raut clarified that Shiv Sena is not a barrier in forming the government.

After the meeting, Raut said it was just a courtesy meeting and politics was not discussed. However, the party having majority can form the government and the governor should invite that party to form the government, he said.

The development came at a time when the BJP and the Shiv Sena are engaged in a bitter tug-of-war over the equal distribution of cabinet portfolios and the term of chief minister’s post for 2.5 years each.
The impasse between the saffron allies, BJP and Shiv Sena, over their power-sharing pact has continued for 11 days after the result for Assembly polls were announced on October 24.

However, there are speculations that Shiv Sena is exploring alternative options other than the ally BJP. A message from Sanjay Raut to senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar strengthened the speculation on Sunday.
Meanwhile, according to the BJP sources, some leaders in BJP are in favour of re-election in the state. Minister Jaykumar Rawal confirmed it and said that BJP will win all seats on their own if re-election held in the state.  

“If Shiv Sena stays firm on their demand of sharing the chief minister’s post in the next government, we will ask for re-election to resolve the issue over the formation of the government,” Rawal said.