The BJP’s oldest ally of 30 years, the Shiv Sena, on Monday said it is breaking all ties with the party as it looks to form the government with the support of the NCP and the Congress.

Lambasting the BJP for refusing to go ahead with the 50-50 power-sharing formula, Sena leader Sanjay Raut says, “They are ready to sit in the Opposition but refuse to go with the 50-50 formula as decided. When they are not ready to talk to us, I don’t think there is any relationship left between us now. There is no question of the relationship with the BJP when they themselves have not followed what they had agreed upon.”

The development came after the lone Shiv Sena MP,in the Union Cabinet, Arvind Ganpat Sawant, resigned from his post today morning.

Sawant resigned from his post of Heavy Industriesand Public Enterprises minister. His decision has come hours after BJP refused to form the government in Maharashtra and the governor invited Shiv Sena to do so.

Reacting on Sawant’s resignation, top BJP sources said,“We don’t have an option but to wait and watch. Despite being the single-largest party we can’t form the government. Our party leaders haven’t asked Sawant to quit, it’s his discretion. He was sworn in as part of council of ministers because Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray gave the name.”

Sources in the BJP also says, ” If Shiv Sena had problems with the state leadership then they should have approached the Centre. They are the oldest ally, why didn’t they get in touch with us at the Centre.

However, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar refused to make any comment on the development. He said, “I haven’t had a word with anyone regarding anyone’s resignation. We’ll have a word with the Congress today. Whatever decision is to be taken will be taken only after discussions with Congress.”

Meanwhile, Congress leader Sanjay Jha too another dig at the BJP. He tweeted, “Devendra Fadnavis like most #BJP leaders was hugely over-rated. Political arrogance usually backfires. My state of Maharashtra needs a good, stable and inclusive new government.”