Maha: BJP wooing small parties

Devendra Fadnavis denied that the BJP is not in touch with independents

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

The BJP-backed Mahayuti is actively working on a 'Plan B' by wooing independents and small parties, just in case it falls short of a majority after the Maharashtra election results are declared on Saturday, despite Devendra Fadnavis' denial on Thursday that the BJP is not in touch with independents.

Significantly, senior Shiv Sena (Uddhav Bal Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut alleged here on Friday that the BJP-led Mahayuti has offered bribes to independent candidates in the recently held Maharashtra assembly elections. Shortly after Raut made the allegation, the BJP hit back saying that it "does not wish to snatch away his (Raut's) right to dream".

According to BJP workers, the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is in touch with the BJP top brass, but an MNS leader refused to confirm or deny the development saying, "We have nothing to say until the results are declared tomorrow".