Maharashtra Govt Formation Highlights: Governor Denies 48-Hour Extension To Shiv Sena, Invites NCP To Stake Claim
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New Delhi: The Shiv Sena is ready to quit its pre-poll alliance with BJP and is likely to walk out of the National Democratic Alliance, to reach out to the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress, before meeting with governor to stake its claim to form government.
In a major twist in the ongoing political slugfest in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena was invited by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Sunday night to "indicate the willingness and ability" of the party to stake claim, mounting suspense over formation of government in the state.
Governor Koshyari has asked Sena legislative party leader Eknath Shinde to "indicate willingness and ability" of the party to form government, a Raj Bhavan statement said.
Party has been given time till 7:30 pm today to stake claim to form government in the state.
In the wake of the recent developments, Sena leader Arvind Sawant may resign from the post of Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterpriss, if advised by his party chief, Uddhav Thackeray.
The twist comes, when after sixteen days of deadlock with its pre-poll ally Shiv Sena, the BJP, on Sunday declined to form government in Maharashtra.
The Sena, the second-largest party in the 288-member House with 56 MLAs after the BJP (105), has time till 7:30pm on November 11, to stake the claim.
Sena legislators get into huddle:
After the governor's communication, Sena MLAs, staying at a suburban hotel in Mumbai, went into a huddle. They later moved to Matoshree, the Bandra residence of the party chief Uddhav Thackeray, for another meeting.
NCP, Congress key players now: NCP asks Sena to walk out of NDA first
The fast-paced developments seem to have increased the bargaining power of opposition Congress and NCP, as the Sena, which has 56 MLAs, is far away from the halfway mark of 145. Congress has 44 MLAS and the NCP has 54 MLAs.
While the Sena has been making efforts to reach out to the NCP and the Congress, the Sharad Pawar-led party said the Sena will have to walk out of the NDA first.
Congress sources said the party legislators from Maharashtra were meeting in Jaipur with senior leaders to discuss the possibility of supporting a Sena-led government.
A close aide of a senior Congress leader here said the MLAs will return to Mumbai from Jaipur Monday afternoon after which the party may announce its stand on the political impasse.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra BJP core committee headed by caretaker Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will also meet in Mumbai on Monday.
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