Maharashtra: NCP hints at lending support to Shiv Sena to form govt

In the middle of the ongoing tussle between the BJP and Shiv Sena to form government in Maharashtra, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik on Sunday hinted at lending support to Sena in Maharashtra saying, "it is up to the Shiv Sena to decide whether it wishes to do politics with respect or wants to face insult as it did in the past five years."

'BJP used gangsters to get votes'

Malik added, "We will clear our stand after Shiv Sena will initiate talks on a coalition with the NCP. So far, no discussion has taken place between the two parties. We are presently behaving like the opposition only. But if Shiv Sena changes its course, then-new political equations can come into play." He also accused the BJP of using muscle power to bag votes in the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly polls. "BJP used gangsters in the elections to get votes. The party is misusing its power."

Shiv Sena warns BJP

The current term of Maharashtra government ends on November 8. State Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar had earlier said the state might head for the President's rule if the government is not formed before November 7. After this, Shiv Sena's mouthpiece Saamna attacked the party for 'threatening' it. Warning the BJP to not be arrogant of its power, Sena said that making such statement would amount to the public thinking that the President of India (Ram Nath Kovind) is under the BJP's control and the party resorts to using any means to come to power. "Should the people believe that the BJP will declare President's rule if it does come to power — as though the President is held firmly in BJP's fist and the BJP has the President's rubber stamp in its Maharashtra office?"

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'Is there a new 50-50 biscuit in the market?'

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi fired shots at the BJP and Shiv Sena amidst their ongoing battle to form a government in Maharashtra, Owaisi asked whether '50-50' is a new biscuit in the market. The AIMIM supremo reiterated that they will “not extend support to either BJP or Shiv Sena", the AIMIM supremo added, "What is this 50-50, is there a new biscuit (in the market)? How much 50-50 will you do? Do something for the people of Maharashtra. They (BJP and Shiv Sena) are not bothered about the destruction that rain has caused in Satara. Farmers are worried but all they talk about is 50-50," Owaisi said while addressing an event.

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