leader, Saamna executive editor and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has been the most vocal against the BJP since the state assembly poll results were declared. Raut on Friday spoke to TOI on the role of the

in government formation and whether Sena would seek support of the Congress-NCP combine. Excerpts:

Shiv Sena is not the single largest party, yet it has staked claim to the CM's post.

It 's a fact that we are not the single largest party. We demand that CM

honour the agreement reached between BJP and Sena over sharing of CM's post and portfolios. Unfortunately he is backing out.

The CM says no such agreement was reached.

Fadnavis is misleading (the people).

According to reports, Fadnavis may stake claim...

Le t him stake claim, but it will not be on behalf of the saffron combine, it will be on behalf of BJP. We feel the people of

have given a mandate for the 'Mahayuti' and not for BJP. If Fadnavis is so confident, what is he waiting for? The situation has changed. After the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, there was fear among legislators and opposition was weak. After the 2019 assembly polls, the opposition has emerged stronger and is ready to take on BJP.

You have been frequently interacting with Sharad Pawar. Is he supporting the Sena ?

It's no t for the first time I have met Pawar. I have been interacting with him regularly. After the 2014 assembly polls, though BJP had no clear majority, it formed the government following NCP's support. Later NCP paid a price for supporting BJP. We do not want NCP to commit the same mistake again. Maharashtra is looking for a non-BJP government, and Sena will be the best option.

Though the saffron combine has a clear majority, the single largest party has not staked claim yet...

Rol e of Governor B S Koshyari will be crucial. He must step in and initiate the process for government formation. He is at liberty to invite BJP. If BJP does not respond, it will be Sena's claim. We will be ready to form government and prove majority. He alone can resolve the impasse.

Are you taking support of Congress and NCP?

Once w e form the government, people will know which parties are with us.

Do you think the issues can be resolved if BJP chief

intervenes?

We've always held Amit Shah in high esteem. There has been a huge communication gap, and it is too late for his intervention.