In a massive tussle to come to power in Maharashtra, the NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena are seen looking for all the possibilities to keep the BJP away from starting its second term in the state.
Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Monday (November 11) said his party would decide on the government formation in Maharashtra only after holding discussions with the Congress.
When questioned about Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant's resignation as Union minister, Pawar said, "I have not had a word with anyone regarding anyone's resignation. We will have a word with Congress today. Whatever decision is to be taken will be taken only after discussions with Congress."
Sharad Pawar has chaired a party's core group meeting in Mumbai to discuss the current political situation in the state after BJP despite being the single largest party expressed its inability to form the government owing to its differences with its ally Shiv Sena.
Praful Patel, Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil are also present in the meeting.
"In the meeting, we will discuss the future course of action. We had said that first Shiv Sena should split from NDA... The discussion will be held on what agenda government will be formed," NCP leader Nawab Malik said.
NCP has 54 MLAs while its alliance partner Congress bagged 44 seats in the recent Maharashtra Assembly polls.
Meanwhile, Congress has also called a meeting at interim party president Sonia Gandhi's residence in New Delhi.
Earlier, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant announced that he would resign from the Union Cabinet.
"Shiv Sena is on the side of Truth. In such an atmosphere, why I should be in the central government. I am giving resignation from my ministerial post. I will do a press conference today at 11 am for the same," he tweeted.
However, BJP cleared that it would not form the government in Maharashtra owing to its relations with its ally Shiv Sena that turned bitter after Assembly polls. Shiv Sena has asked for the chief ministerial post, a demand which was turned down by the BJP.
This came after Shiv Sena secured 56 seats and BJP bagged 105 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly.
It is also said that the BJP refused Shiv Sena's 50-50 formula as BJP single-handedly gained massive votes and its ally just 56 seats out of 144 seats.
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