Maharashtra Congress on Thursday hinted that it could offer support to a Shiv Sena-led government but the latter feels it a “useless” talk, as such an alliance is not “plausible”. “It is just kite flying by the Congress to create confusion. It is not possible for the Sena to go along with Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance. However, BJP should honour the understanding reached with the party during pre-poll alliance discussions,” said a Shiv Sena leader in Mumbai.
Earlier, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had categorically dismissed such speculative suggestions, affirming that the next government will be formed by the BJP and its allies.
Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and ex-Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and senior Congress MP Hussain Dalwai on Wednesday extended support to Shiv Sena, ostensibly to keep BJP out of power. “We are yet to receive any communication from the Sena on this yet. However, if it comes, we shall put it up with the party high command for a decision in the matter,” said state Congress President Balasaheb Thorat.
Meanwhile, the BJP said the Congress often forgets the coalition dharma and makes life miserable for alliance partners. It did the same in Karnataka. “Therefore, I don’t think Sena will do such a hara-kiri of tying up with Congress,” said a BJP leader who doesn’t want to be quoted.
The Congress, NCP and all its allies together have bagged a significant chunk of 117 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly. The BJP-Sena combined tally stands at 161.
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