Sena invited by Guv, Sharad Pawar rings Uddhav; congratulates: Sources

In minute-by-minute changing political dynamics of Maharashtra, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has called Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray and congratulated him, sources told Republic TV, shortly after the Sena was invited to form a government in the state. Sources also say that the two political heavyweights of Maharashtra may very soon start formal talks on government formation in the state. This, if confirmed, will be the biggest twist to the political fabric of Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena, which emerged as the second-largest party in the Assembly polls in alliance with the BJP, has ideologically been a polar opposite of the NCP, which is the third-largest party and fought in alliance with the Congress.

Sena gets Governor's offer

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Sunday asked Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde to "indicate willingness and ability of his party to form the government" in the state.

READ | NCP Confirms Shiv Sena's Approach, States Condition After BJP's Dare

READ | NCP To Shiv Sena: Resign From Centre, Breakup With BJP, Then We'll See

BJP throws in the towel to form govt

On Sunday, a BJP delegation comprising Caretaker Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, senior ministers such as Pankaja Munde and Sudhir Mungantiwar met the state’s Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. It was communicated to him that BJP would not form the government in the state. This comes a day after Koshyari had asked Fadnavis to indicate his willingness for government formation. This has thrown up several scenarios, which might include a realignment of political parties in Maharashtra.

READ | BJP Declines To Form Maharashtra Govt; This Is What May Happen Next

BJP says 'Good luck' Sena

Addressing a press conference after meeting the governor, BJP leader Chandrakant Patil said that Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena can stake claim to form the government. He said that Sena has betrayed the mandate of the people of Maharashtra. Announcing BJP's decision that they conveyed to the Maharashtra governor on Sunday evening, Chandrakant Patil said, "In the elections, BJP, RPI, Sena and other parties were given mandate. Yesterday, the governor invited the BJP to form the government. We fought for the alliance, got votes for the alliance. Sena does not want to be part of the alliance. Sena chose to insult the mandate. We won't form the government. We informed the governor. If Sena has to go with NCP, Congress, we wish them good luck."

READ | Sena's Cheeky Jibe: 'How Will BJP Have CM If It Doesn't Stake Claim?'

READ | BJP Dare To Sena Stirs Cong; 'will Speak To High-command,' Says Chavan