No rift between Shiv Sena and BJP, says Rudy

Asserting that there is no rift between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena, Minister of State (MoS) for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Tuesday said that his party would accept the support of anyone who is in favour of development of Maharashtra.

"There is no rift between the Shiv Sena and us. Prior to the elections, we did want them to come along with us which was not possible. Post elections in the government, we wanted the Shiv Sena to come along with us. There has been some hiccups on that, but anyone and all of those who want to support in the development of Maharashtra we will accept their support," said Rudy.

He said that it may not be possible to include all in the government, but added that his party would like the Shiv Sena to come along with them.

According to reports, intense negotiations are on between the BJP and Shiv Sena over the forming of an alliance government in Maharashtra.

Earlier on Sunday, the Shiv Sena had abstained from attending the expansion of the Union Cabinet. The Shiv Sena had also asked its nominee Anil Desai to return to Mumbai from the national capital.

The BJP and Shiv Sena snapped their 25-year alliance in September ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls over a seat-sharing disagreement.

The BJP minority government in Maharashtra headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will seek a vote of confidence tomorrow. At the moment, the BJP is 22 short of the halfway mark in Maharashtra Assembly.

Following the polls, the BJP had emerged as the single largest party with 122 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly.

The Shiv Sena finished second with 63 seats. The NCP, which emerged victorious in 41 seats, has offered the BJP 'external support' to form the government in the state.