Maharashtra remains in limbo as Sharad Pawar says 'no' to alliance with Shiv Sena

All eyes were on Pawar's 12:30 pm press conference on Wednesday as he met Sena leader Sanjay Raut, who has been vocal against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since Oct 24 when poll results came out.

In a clear message, the NCP chief, who is a veteran politician, said, "It is not about supporting Shiv Sena or not. We fought the election in an alliance with the Congress. So we will sit in the Opposition."

With Pawar's refusal, all the doors for the Sena to form a non-BJP government in the state is closed for now as it can't take its tally of 56 to 145 (majority mark) without the saffron party's support.

The Congress too is not ready to support the Sena, an ally of the BJP, as per media reports.

Why the crisis?

The logjam in the western state, which has voted the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance to power, started after the Sena demanded a 50:50 power share in the government and rotational Chief Ministership, which have so far been dismissed by the saffron party.

As per the seats tally, the BJP, despite emerging as the single largest party with 105 seats, won't be able to form the government as the majority mark in 288-member assembly is 145.

The Sena was looking to cobble up the required number by adding NCP's 54 and Congress' 44. 

Another election?

The new government will have to be appointed on or by Nov 9 when the current assembly will expire.

All eyes are on the Sena whether it prefers to form the government with the BJP or heads towards another election.

(Image Credit: NCP Twitter)