'Like Aamir Khan-Kiran Rao': Sanjay Raut on Shiv Sena-BJP relationship

Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Monday likened to his party's equation with former coalition partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with the relationship between actor Aamir Khan and wife Kiran Rao who recently announced their separation after 15 years of marriage.

Raut's remarks came after former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday commented that BJP and Shiv Sena are "not enemies".

"We are not India-Pakistan. Look at Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao, it is like them. Our (Shiv Sena and BJP) political ways are different but the friendship will remain intact," said Raut.


These remarks further fuelled the speculations of a widening rift in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state and BJP-Shiv Sena mulling a patch-up.

However, BJP had earlier denied the possibility of any such alliance between the two parties.

Asked about Fadnavis' comment, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil said, "Devendra Fadnavis has said BJP, Shiv Sena are not enemies, it's 100 per cent true but this doesn't mean that both will come together and form a government."

On Sunday, Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Fadnavis said there might be some differences between BJP and Shiv Sena but they are not enemies.

Briefing media persons, Fadnavis said, "There are no ifs and buts in politics. Decisions are taken according to the prevailing circumstances. There might be some differences with Shiv Sena but we are not enemies. Remember that Shiv Sena fought elections with us and after the results, joined hands with Congress and NCP."

Last month, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis put all speculations regarding a pre-poll alliance with Shiv Sena to rest and asserted that his party would go alone in the next Assembly elections in Maharashtra.

Taking a dig at the rumoured infighting in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the former Maharashtra Chief Minister said it is up to the ruling alliance partners to decide who they will ally or break ties with in the next elections.

"The BJP will contest polls on its own. It is for them (MVA) to decide who they will form an alliance with, throw a slipper at or present a garland to," Fadnavis said in reference to Thackeray's indirect comment about the Congress that people would 'beat them with footwear'.

(With inputs from Agencies)