Maha Drama: Guv Invites Shiv Sena to Stake Claim, NCP Ready to Support but Set Condition

Mumbai: Amid mounting suspense and high drama over formation of government in Maharashtra, Governor Bhagat Singh Khoshyari on Sunday night invited the Shiv Sena to “indicate the willingness and ability” of the party to stake claim.

Hours after the BJP declined to form government, the Maharashtra Governor asked Sena legislative party leader Eknath Shinde to “indicate willingness and ability” of the party to form government in Maharashtra, according to a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan.

Shiv Sena, which has emerged as the second largest party in the 288-member House with 56 MLAs after the BJP (105), has time till 7:30 PM on November 11, to stake the claim, according to reports.

In a fast-paced developed, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which has 54 MLAs, said that it will support the Sena but laid down its condition.

NCP leader Nawab Malik said the Uddhav Thackeray-led party should break ties with the NDA if it wants their support.

In the prevailing political scenario, the role of the Congress and the NCP now assumes significance in formation of the government considering the fact that both have 98 MLAs.