BJP on back foot in Maharashtra as Shiv Sena opts out of NDA

Relations between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena are on the verge of collapse following the 18-day deadlock over government formation in Maharashtra.
Late on Sunday, Governor B.S. Koshyari invited the Shiv Sena, the second largest party in the Assembly, to show its willingness and ability to form the government, after the BJP informed it of its inability to do so citing lack of numbers.
The Congress has said that it is watching the developments closely, but has not divulged its plan. The party's MLAs, who are holed up in a Jaipur resort for fear of poaching, are keen to support formation of any non-BJP government in Maharashtra.