After the BJP refused to make the government saying it did not have the numbers, the state Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyarihas invited the Shiv Sena, which is the second largest party, to form the government in the state.

The Sena, which has 56 MLAs in the 288-member House after the BJP (105), has time till 7:30 pm today to stake the claim.

Elections to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly were held on October 21 and the results were declared on October 24. However, despite the passage of 15 days, no single party or alliance of parties came forward to form the government.

The NCP and Congress are presently holding meetings in Mumbai and Delhi, respectively, to discuss the Shiv Sena’s proposal to jointly form a government in Maharashtra.

The Sharad Pawar-led NCP agreed to come together with the Sena on the condition that the latter cut ties with BJP, quit NDA and evolve a common minimum programme.

Amid talks that the NCP and Congress may support the Shiv Sena in government formation in Maharashtra, NCP chief Sharad Pawar today said whatever the decision be, the two parties will take it together.

“We (the Congress and NCP) contested the election together. Whatever the decision, we will have to take it together,” Pawar told reporters ahead of the NCP’s core committee meeting in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, A Shiv Sena delegation will meet the state Governor at 2.30 pm and submit a letter of support, requesting the Governor more time to prove majority.

Congress’ central leadership is in a dilemma as pressure is mounting from many of their Maharashtra MLAs who largely favour supporting Sena in order to stop the BJP from forming a government in Maharashtra. The party also wants to retain its MLAs and avoid a possible split.