Maharashtra Governor invites Shiv Sena to form government

21:39 November 10

Shiv Sena leaders arrive at Thackeray's residence

Aaditya Thackeray and other Shiv Sena leaders arrive at Matoshree (Thackeray's residence).

20:34 November 10

Nawab Malik: If Shiv Sena wants our support, they will have to break ties with BJP

Nawab Malik, Nationalist Congress Party said, "If Governor invites Shiv Sena to stake claim to form govt then we will think about our next step.Till now, we haven't received any proposal from Shiv Sena. The final decision will be taken by Congress & NCP together as declared by Pawar Sahab."

"We have called a meeting of our MLAs on Nov 12. If Shiv Sena wants our support, they will have to declare that they have no relation with BJP & they should pull out from National Democratic Alliance (NDA). All their ministers will have to resign from Union Cabinet," added Malik.

20:21 November 10

If we take Shiv Sena's support, it will be fatal for Congress: Sanjay Nirupam

Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam on Sunday said that if the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will take support from the Shiv Sena to form the government in the state, then it will be fatal for his party.

"Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra is only an imagination. If we want to convert that imagination into a reality, it won't be possible without Shiv Sena's support. If we take Shiv Sena's support, it will be fatal for the Congress," Nirupam said.

20:08 November 10

Maha Governor invites Shiv Sena to form government

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Sunday invited the Shiv Sena, the second largest party, to stake claim to form government, hours after the BJP declined such attempt.

"The Sena will have to inform the governor about its stand by Monday (November 11) evening 7.30 pm," a Raj Bhavan official said.

19:06 November 10

Will install Sena CM at any cost in Maharashtra: Sanjay Raut

Reacting to BJP's announcement, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, "Will install Sena CM at any cost in Maharashtra"

"Uddhav Thackeray told Sena MLAs that the party will install its CM in Maharashtra", he added. 

19:02 November 10

Maharashtra Congress to seek advice from the party high-command

President of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, Ashok Chavan said, "Congress MLAs will seek advice of the party high-command on its future political stand in Maharashtra". 

"I am of the view of a stable government in Maharashtra. We are keeping an eye on recent developments. We are meeting now and discussing all the options before us. We have not decided anything yet," he added. 

18:13 November 10

BJP refuses to form government in Maharashtra

Mumbai: The BJP on Sunday announced that it would not form government in Maharashtra in view of the ally Shiv Sena's stand to not join them in the efforts.

Announcing the BJP's decision, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil accused the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, which is adamant on its demand for a rotational chief ministership, of "disrespecting" the popular mandate secured by the BJP and the Sena in recent assembly polls.

"The mandate of the people of Maharashtra was for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance. Sena has, however, disrespected the mandate, hence we have decided to not stake claim to form government. We have informed our decision to governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari," Patil told reporters outside Raj Bhavan.

He wished "good luck" to the Sena if it wanted to form the government with the help of opposition Congress and NCP.

The BJP and the Sena had together won 161 seats in the 288-member House, way above the halfway mark of 145.