BJP, Shiv Sena fight over CM post, as Fadnavis tenders resignation

rift between Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena on power-sharing related to government formation widened on Friday with Uddhav Thackeray accusing its ally of speaking "lies" and BJP saying it was shocked over his remarks earlier that "all options are open". Chief Minister Devendra Fnavis met Goverr Bhagat Singh Koshiyari on Friday and tendered resignation almost a fortnight after results were declared of assembly polls. Goverr asked Fnavis to continue as "acting chief minister" till alternate arrangements are me. term of previous assembly will end on vember 9. 

While Fnavis took potshots at Thackeray at a press conference, Shiv Sena leer launched a strong attack on BJP and Fnavis. "I h promised Balasaheb that re will be a Shiv Sena Chief Minister one day, and I will fulfil that promise, I don't need Amit Shah and Devendra Fnavis for that," Thackeray said. Making it clear that re will be compromise on issue of chief ministership, Thackeray indicated that his party will be open to seeking support of NCP and Congress to form government if BJP fails in task. 

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Fnavis on 50:50 formula

two parties h fought polls toger with BJP winning 105 seats and Shiv Sena 56. Shiv Sena has been insisting on a 50:50 power-sharing formula but Fnavis has said re was promise of a rotational chief minister. "I again want to make it clear that it was never decided that for two-and-a-half years each CM post will be shared. re was never a decision on this issue. When I asked (BJP chief) Amit Shahji about this, he said Shiv Sena gave proposal but decision was t taken on it," Fnavis said. He also said that BJP was shocked over Uddhav Thackeray's remarks that "all options were open" for government formation and that party's ally h me up its mind to go with NCP after poll results were out. 

'BJP lied to us': Thackeray

Thackeray said doors were never closed for discussion. "y (BJP) lied to us so we did t talk to m. We have t yet held talks with NCP," he said. Thackeray me several direct and indirect attacks at BJP."It is very s that while cleaning Ganga ir minds became polluted. I felt b that we entered into an alliance with wrong people," he said. He said Shiv Sena worked for people when it was in government. "It is for first time that someone levelled false allegations against Thackeray family. I am upset that Shiv Sena and Thackeray's family has been accused of lying. We never said anything about PM Modi," he said. "We don't need any certificate from anyone. I can't go in front of people as a liar son of Balasaheb. That's why I will do whatever I feel right. We accepted 124 seats as hand out," he said. 

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Targeting BJP, he also said that "Hindutva can be truth and t lies". On his part, Fnavis said that Shiv Sena has repeatedly given many statements against BJP leers and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Fnavis held Shiv Sena responsible for delay in government formation. "From very first day, Shiv Sena is 100 per cent responsible. y called off talks. After that, we continuously tried to have a discussion. y never picked up our phone. I myself me many calls but y never answered," he said. 

Gkari's taken on 50-50 formula

Union Minister Nitin Gkari also said re was promise me by BJP on 50-50 formula. Congress, which will have a key role in government formation if differences between Sena and BJP remain unresolved, said party was watching situation. "We will wait and watch." Maharashtra unit chief Balasaheb Thorat said. Congress has 44 MLAs while its ally NCP has 54 legislators in 288-member assembly. Constitutional experts said that a caretaker is rmally in office for a short time but duration of tenure is t stipulated. y also said that President's Rule is rmally last option exercised if re is possibility of formation of government in given situation. 

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(with ANI inputs)