Amid the logjam over government formation in Maharashtra, a Marathi daily, widely seen inclined towards the RSS, on Tuesday reiterated that the state Assembly polls' mandate is for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance and not any other political combination.
In a veiled attack on Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, who has been quite vocal about his party's demand for sharing the chief minister's post, the Nagpur-based publication Tarun Bharat said a king (apparently referring to Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray), despite facing problems from his courtiers, has to intervene and assure people that he is the supreme leader.
The publication on Monday also said that the mandate in Maharashtra is for the 'Mahayuti' (BJP-Sena alliance), and going by the number of seats won, "people have decided who is the big brother between them".
In an editorial on Tuesday, it sought to know whether Maharashtra should have a stable government or not when it is facing severe agrarian crisis and the Supreme Court's verdict on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case is expected soon.
"The mandate is for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance and not for BJP alone. The mandate is also not for any other political arithmetic...respecting the mandate of people should reflect in words and actions of both the saffron parties," it said.
Hitting out at Raut, who is the executive editor of Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', the publication said, "The king at times faces problems due to some of his courtiers in the 'darbar', but the king has to intervene and assure people that he is the supreme leader."