After BJP Opts Out, Governor Invites Sena

BJP accuses Uddhav of disrespecting mandate for pre-poll alliance, Sena leaders go into huddle

- Alok Deshpande

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Sunday asked the Shiv Sena to indicate its willingness and ability to form a government in the State, after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the single largest party, announced that it does not have the numbers.

The invitation to the Shiv Sena comes against the backdrop of the BJP accusing it of disrespecting the mandate given by the people to the pre-poll alliance of the two parties. Mr. Koshyari, who was informed by the BJP about its inability to form a government, then invited the leader of the Shiv Sena, Eknath Shinde. Following this, Shiv Sena leaders got into a huddle at the Thackeray residence, Matoshree.

“Yesterday, Devendra Fadnavis was called upon to express his willingness and ability to form [a] government. However, today, he has shown unwillingness.

The Governor has, therefore, asked the leader of the elected members of the second largest party, Shiv Sena, Shri Eknath Shinde, to convey its willingness and ability to form the government to him,” a release from Raj Bhavan said.

Earlier, the BJP blamed the Shiv Sena for not being able to form the government in spite of the mandate given by the electorate.

Last-minute attempts