Maharashtra Governor asks Shiv Sena to indicate its willingness and ability to form government

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Khoshyari has asked the Shiv Sena to indicate the willingness and ability of the party in staking claim to form a new government in the state after the BJP declined the offer. BJP State President Chandrakant Patil informed that his party will not form the government and it has been conveyed to Mr Khoshyari.

The Governor later asked Sena Legislature Party leader Eknath Shinde to indicate willingness of the party on the issue. After the Governor's communication, newly-elected Sena MLAs, currently 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.

While the Congress



has refused to open its cards, the NCP made it clear that the Sena will have to break away from the NDA before the Sharad Pawar-led party can think of lending support to the Uddhav Thackeray's party.

However, Sena leader Sanjay Raut appeared unfazed and said his party will install its Chief Minister at any cost.

Sharing of power, especially the post of the Chief Minister on a rotational basis is the bone of contention between the Sena and the BJP which resulted into a deadlock.

The BJP won 105 seats in the October 21 elections, while the majority mark is 145 in the 288-member Assembly. Its ally Shiv Sena won 56 seats. The term of the 13th state Assembly ended Saturday.