Stalemate continues over govt formation in Maharashtra

In Maharashtra, there is no headway in the government formation efforts even after over two weeks since the assembly election results were announced on October 24. Hectic parleys are on as the term of the current state Assembly comes to an end tomorrow. BJP with 105 seats and Shiv Sena with 56, have so far failed to reach an agreement over power sharing as BJP rejected Shiv Sena's demand of Chief Minister's post for 2 and a half year each.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said in a press conference yesterday, that there was no change in his party's stand and reiterated the demand for rotational Chief Minister's post. Raut said party chief Uddhav Thackeray met all newly elected MLAs and all of them unanimously said that they will support whatever decision Thackeray takes. Raut



asserted that the Chief Minister of the state will be from the Shiv Sena only. He also asked that if the people's mandate was for the grand alliance, why was the BJP not staking claim to form the government.

Earlier, yesterday, BJP delegation led by Chandrakant Patil met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and apprised him of the prevailing political situation in the state. Later, Patil told media that the delegation discussed with the Governor, the legal angles involved with regard to delay in government formation. Patil said that the people have given a clear mandate for the BJP-led Mahayuti and they want Mahayuti Government to be formed soon adding that the party leadership will decide on the next course of action accordingly.