BJP quagmire Uddhav tough negotiation, NCP unconditional support

Two Shiv Sena leaders Anil Desai and Subhash Desai, who arrived in Delhi last night, returned to Mumbai early this morning after holding talks with BJP’s central leadership about the government formation in Maharashtra. Sources said, the two leaders will meet party chief Uddhav Thackeray in the afternoon and brief him about the outcome of the meeting with the BJP leaders.

Anil and Subhash Desai were sent to Delhi last night by party Chief Uddhav Thackeray to hold discussions with BJP’s central leadership. Sources said, Thackeray may visit national capital to carry forward talks with BJP’s top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari yesterday admitted that his party has begun discussion with Shiv Sena on the government formation.

Earlier, BJP had deferred the visit of Home Minister Rajnath Singh who was chosen as a central observer for election of the leader of BJP Legislature Party. Party sources said, Mr. Singh will go to Mumbai after Diwali.

Official correspondent reports that BJP leaders have kept all options open including taking outside support from NCP and also taking Independent MLA’s on board.

BJP had won 122 seats in the 288-member State Assembly, falling short of the majority mark by 23 seats. Sena has 63 seats while NCP has 41.