Shiv Sena's strong message to BJP: 'May form Maha Govt with NCP'

Shiv Sena on Sunday, while sending a strong message to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stated that they may form a government with the support of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress if BJP does not agree to its demand of sharing the Chief Minister's position in Maharashtra. According to Shiv Sena, "Being the second-largest party, Shiv Sena will claim to form the government after BJP fails to prove majority. Our tally will reach 170 with the help of NCP, Congress and others." Earlier, Shiv Sena in its editorial in 'Saamna' had stated that the BJP could not prove the majority if it claims to form the government without taking it on board. 

Shiv Sena-BJP 'tug-of-war'

The BJP and Shiv Sena who formed an alliance this year are engaged in a bitter tug-of-war over the equal distribution of seats in the Maharashtra Assembly and the term for the Chief Minister's post. As Shiv Sena stands firm on the 50:50 formula, BJP is claiming that Devendra Fadnavis will continue to be the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. According to Shiv Sena, BJP would not have secured 105 seats had it not allied with Shiv Sena before the elections.

Read | Maharashtra Government: Shiv Sena-BJP deadlock continues

Sanjay Raut's comment

Earlier on Saturday, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that they would desert its "wait and watch mode" over the government formation. Raut met NCP chief Sharad Pawar amid speculations that Shiv Sena may claim to form the government with the support from NCP and Congress.

Read | Sanjay Raut: Talks with BJP will only be on Chief Minister's post

Maharashtra Assembly Elections

In this year's Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party by winning 105 seats while the Sena emerged victorious on 56 seats in the 288-member assembly in the state. Even though both the parties have agreed to a 50:50 formula, the fight over the CM's post has been intensifying. According to the State Minister, Sudhir Mungantiwar, the State may head for the President's rule if the government is not formed before November 7. The current term of Maharashtra government ends on November 9.

Read | Amid Shiv Sena-BJP tussle, new options to form government may emerge

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(With ANI inputs)