Maharashtra polls: Sanjay Raut evades queries on post-poll alliance

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday avoided making any statements about what call his party would take if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeks a post-poll alliance, and thereby, left it to his party supremo, Uddhav Thackeray, to take a decision.

"It is not right to talk about it. Once the things get clearer by the evening, then only we will be able to tell you. It is Uddhav Thackeray who will take a decision. We have fought on issues, and they are important for united Maharashtra. So, we will not compromise on such issues in anyway," Raut told ANI in response to a querry that his party might just join up with the BJP should the latter come forward with a proposal for support.

Reacting to early trends, Raut said, "These are just leads and not the complete result. There are 14 rounds, and after seven to eight rounds, things will get clear.Yes, the BJP is getting more seats as per trends, but the Shiv Sena (SS) is also performing well. What will be the role played by the Shiv Sena will be told to you only around 2 p.m. or 3 p.m in the afternoon."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) established early leads in Maharashtra on Sunday, as the counting of votes for the selection of representatives for the state assembly got underway amidst tight security.

In Maharashtra, the political future of 4,119 candidates vying for one of the 288 member Maharashtra Assembly seats will be decided.

As far as early trends in Maharashtra are concerned, reports indicate that the BJP is leading in 72 seats, while the Congress is ahead in 36, Shiv Sena in 40, NCP in 31, MNS in 2 and others in 15 seats.

In Maharashtra all major parties like the BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are contesting alone this time.