Congress bigwigs summon Maharashtra netas; open to supporting Sena

Amid uncertainty over government formation in Maharashtra, sources on Monday said that Congress party is ready to support Shiv Sena to form government after meeting its leaders at core committee meeting. Sources said that Congress in core committee meeting decided to support NCP and Sena and will w decide on terms and conditions to seal deal. However, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, while speaking to media after meeting said that party will meet its Maharashtra leaders at 4 PM on Monday and take its final decision. Sources said that meeting will be held to decide wher party will support Sena from outside or being an active participant in alliance. Meanwhile, sources also said that 35 Congress MLAs are ready to support Sena in government formation. high-level core committee meeting was attended by three former Congres CMs of Maharashtra - Sushil Kumar Shinde, Ashok Chauhan and Prithviraj Chavan.

Kharge while speaking to media said: "CWC finished meeting and we discussed political situation. We have called all Maharashtra leaders at 4 PM today. We will meet again and n decide." 

NCP says ready to form govt

After  core committee meeting of his party at YB Chavan centre in Mumbai, Mumbai NCP chief Nawab Malik said that party will decide only after Congress takes a decision at 4 PM. Earlier in day, Malik said that party will make decision if goverr invites m to form government. Speaking to news ncy ANI, he said that final decision will be taken after meeting with party leaders and reiterated condition of Sena's separation from NDA.

"If goverr invites us we will think about what we will do. After discussions, only final decision will be taken. If Sena wants to come with us n y should first get separate from NDA. We will take decision after discussion only," Malik Said while speaking to ANI. 

READ: BJP tells Maha Guv it won't form govt, dares Sena to go with Cong-NCP

NCP's three conditions for alliance with Sena 

Speaking to Republic TV on Sunday, Mumbai NCP chief Nawab Malik laid out three conditions that needed to be fulfilled before Sharad Pawar-led party allies with Shiv Sena. He said: "If goverr is calling Shiv Sena, n it has to first anunce that y are t in NDA (National Democratic Alliance). y must part from Bharatiya Janata Party and y must give a proposal (to NCP) on how y want to go ahead. So until and unless y resign from Centre, y break relation with BJP, y sent a proposal to us, decision can be anunced (sic)," said Nawab Malik.

READ: BJP declines to form Maharashtra govt; this is what may happen next

Sena's Arvind Sawant resigns 

Union Minister and Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant has anunced on Monday that he is resigning from Union Government and will hold a press conference at 11 AM. Earlier on Sunday, speaking minutes after BJP's anuncement, Sena's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said that if Uddhav Thackray has said that re will be Sena CM n re will be Sena CM at any cost. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray met  Sena MLAs in Hotel Retreat where y have been holed up to prevent poaching by or sides in view of political crisis in state. Both Mahayuti alliance partners are at loggerheads over Chief Minister's post in state.

READ: Nawab Malik: 'NCP may think about govt formation, if guv invites us'

BJP says will t form govt

BJP on Sunday evening met goverr Bhagat Singh Koshyari and informed goverr that it will t form government in state. Addressing a press conference after meeting goverr, BJP leader Chandrakant Patil said that Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena can stake claim to form government. He said that Sena has betrayed mandate of people of Maharashtra.

Anuncing BJP's decision that y conveyed to Maharashtra goverr on Sunday evening, Chandrakant Patil said: "In elections, BJP, RPI, Sena and or parties were given mandate. Yesterday, goverr invited BJP to form government. We fought for alliance, got votes for alliance. Sena does t want to be part of alliance. Sena chose to insult mandate. We won't form government. We informed goverr. If Sena has to go with NCP, Congress, we wish m good luck."

READ: Cong, NCP should bury differences; decide common minimum program: Raut