Understand the power tussle of Maharashtra's politics | Ghanti Bajao

Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party is still contacting him through unofficial channels to join hands to form the government in Maharashtra.

"They keep making vague and differing offers each time. But we have decided to go with the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party," Thackeray declared.

Shortly thereafter, virtually confirming Thackeray's statements, senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister Narayan Rane said that he has been deployed by the party to "take whatever measures required" to convince the Sena to again revive its alliance with the BJP for forming the state government.

"We are trying for a simple majority of 145 (in the 288-member assembly), that's our target and we will submit it to the Governor. I don't think the Shiv Sena will go with the Congress-NCP. They are taking the Shiv Sena for a ride," Rane claimed.