Maharashtra: NCP alleges Shiv Sena ultimatum to BJP over CM's post

Even as counting is underway for the Maharashtra and Haryana elections, NCP's Nawab Malik has made a sensational claim while speaking to Republic TV on Thursday. Claiming that there is a rift between BJP and Shiv Sena, the NCP leader said that Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena is eyeing on the CM post. He also added that there is an internal tussle going on in the Mahayuti alliance as trends come in. He also added that Shiv Sena has given an ultimatum to the BJP to give them clarity on CM position. On being asked about NCP's alliance with Shiv Sena, he added: "Let's wait. Politics is all about game of possibilities."

Sharad Pawar's press briefing 

As trends for Maharashtra assembly election show the NCP-Congress alliance trailing behind, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has issued a news briefing on Thursday ahead of final results. Speaking at the briefing, Pawar said that he and his party accepts the mandate of the people and slammed the ruling alliance of BJP and Shiv Sena. He said that the people of Maharashtra has rejected the arrogance of those in power. He blamed the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena alliance for giving importance to national issues instead of regional issues. He also blamed the BJP for making personal attacks on Opposition leaders.

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Trends for Maharashtra

As per official trends, the BJP along with its primary ally in Maharashtra Shiv Sena is leading in 161 seats, while Congress is leading on 38 seats, its alliance partner NCP is leading on 54 seats. Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM is ahead in only 5 seats, MNS is ahead in one seat. Trends also show that others are ahead in as many as 29 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra assembly. 

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Maharashtra election overview

The opposition tried to corner the BJP government on the handling of the economy with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi blaming the ruling party for the economic slowdown, unemployment, highlighting issues like "failure" of demonetisation and GST rollout. The BJP, on the other hand, is seeking a second straight term under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra. Among other parties, Raj Thackeray's MNS fielded 101 candidates, the CPI 16, the CPM 8. The BSP fielded candidates in 262 constituencies. A total of 1400 Independents are also in the poll arena.

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