Sharad Pawar finally states intent: 'Sena-Cong-NCP will form Maha govt for 5 years'

In a major development in ongoing Maharashtra government formation, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar has stated that a Sena-NCP-Congress government will be formed which will run for 5 years while addressing reporters in Nagpur. NCP Supremo is currently meeting farmers in Chargaon vill, Nagpur to assess crop dam and will meet Congress chief Sonia Gandhi over weekend to finalise CMP. Meanwhile, former CM Devendra Fadnavis has declared to his MLAs that BJP will form government, as per sources.

READ | Trouble already? Sonia Gandhi miffed with Maha Cong for Sena reachout before Cong-NCP pact

Sonia Gandhi miffed with Maha Congress leaders

Meanwhile,  Congress interim-chief Sonia Gandhi is allegedly unhappy with Maharashtra Congress state leaders, as per sources. Gandhi, who was in a meeting with senior Congress leaders including Ahmed Patel, KC Venugopal has allegedly expressed her disapproval of state leaders contacting Sena before ironing out a pact with NCP, as per sources. NCP's Nawab Malik has revealed that Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress leaders are set to meet Maharashtra Goverr Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Saturday at 3 PM.

WATCH | Sena-NCP-Congress leaders to meet Maharashtra Goverr on Saturday; CMP draft finalised

Sena gets CM post

Earlier in day, sources have reported that Sena-NCP-Congress alliance has decided on a formula, with Sena retaining CM post for all 5 years. Sources furr report that cabinet will be split with Sena getting 16 portfolios, NCP -14 and Congress will get 12 berths. Sources report that party chiefs Uddhav Thackeray, Sonia Gandhi, and Sharad Pawar will take final call on Common Minimum Programme worked out. But Malik has confirmed that Sena will be given CM post.

READ | Shiv Sena to get CM post for 5 years, cabinet portfolios split decided : Sources

CMP finalised, Sena breaks from NDA

Earlier on Thursday, final draft of CMP was prepared in joint meeting of leaders from three parties.  Congress' Prithviraj Chavan, Manikrao Thakre and Vijay Wadettiwar, Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde and Subhash Desai and NCP's Chhagan Bhujbal, Nawab Malik and Jayant Patil met in Mumbai to decide portfolios split, target issues. etc. Meanwhile, Sena and BJP's Maharashtra battle reached a national level as Sena's 18 Lok Sabha MPs too decided on Thursday to boycott all MPs meeting on vember 17 prior to Winter session of Parliament. On or hand, Former CM Devendra Fadnavis has stated that 'Three parties can t run a government. re is alternative to BJP government,' hinting at re-elections.

READ | NCP confirms giving CM post to Sena, says 'keeping Sena's pride our responsibility'

President's rule in Maharashtra

President's rule was imposed in Maharashtra on Tuesday after Goverr Bhagat Singh Koshyari was satisfied that ne of parties - Shiv Sena, BJP, Congress, and NCP could t form a stable government. Sena which initially challenged move in Supreme Court has put a hold on its plea, as three parties try to stitch an alliance to form next government. Mahayuti alliance fell out with  Sena insisting an equal sharing of CM post for 2.5 years and portfolios, while BJP refused to se demands. saffron alliance swept Maharashtra on October 24, winning a combined tally of 161 (BJP- 105, Sena -56), while 'Maha- Agadhi' alliance (NCP-54, Congress-44) bagged 98 seats in total. halfway mark is 145.