Giriraj Singh taunts Sena, posts Balasaheb-BJP veterans' old picture

As the Shiv Sena was mulling over government formation in Maharashtra with ideologically different Congress and NCP, Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh has said that some elements in the state are insulting the teachings of Bal Thackeray. Posting an old picture of Balasaheb along with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and BJP veteran LK Advani, the Begusarai MP said that it was Bal Thackeray's hard work that gave direction to Maharashtra. He then added that Sena trying to seal a deal with 'Hindutva opposers' is a betrayal for Shiv Sainiks. This is the second time the Sena and the BJP parted company in their 35-year- association.

READ: Arvind Sawant's portfolio given to Javadekar, as Sena Min steps down

READ: Senior Congress leaders to not meet with Pawar; NCP mulls govt forming

Maharashtra's political crisis on Monday

In a minute-by-minute changing dynamics of Maharashtra politics, Governor of Maharashtra on Monday night invited the third-largest party - NCP to form the government after BJP and Shiv Sena failed to provide the majority number. Congress leader KC Venugopal on Monday evening said that Congress is still discussing the formation of a government with the NCP and has to extended Outer support to the Shiv Sena. This official declaration came even as Shiv Sena reached its deadline of 7.30 PM to form the government in Maharashtra. The NCP, on the other hand, placed the onus of decision-making on Congress, saying they will take the decision only after Congress decides. After BJP on Sunday announced that it won't form government, Governor had invited the second largest party - Shiv Sena to form the government. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant also resigned from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet. 

READ: HD Deve Gowda asks Congress to 'not disturb' govt if allied with Sena

Maharashtra assembly elections 

The stalemate in the state is a result of the fallout of the Mahayuti alliance partners- BJP and Shiv Sena over the post of Chief Minister in the state. While both blamed each other of betraying people's mandate, BJP made it clear to the governor that it would not form government as Sena does not wish to negotiate. In the assembly polls, the Mahayuti alliance partners won a total of 161 seats - BJP won 105 seats and Shiv Sena won 56 seats. The Mahagadhi made a comeback bagging 98 seats - (NCP 54 seats and Congress 44 seats.)

Arvind Sawant resigns from Modi cabinet: 'Immoral for me to continue'