Sena blinks first, offers support to BJP in Maharashtra

As the suspense continues over the government formation in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena leaders met the Bharatiya Janata Party central leadership in the national capital. Sources said the Sena has offered support to the BJP for government formation in Maharashtra.

Sena leaders Anil and Subhash Desai returned to Mumbai on Tuesday night after meeting the BJP central leadership.

The move came after Home Minister Rajnath Singh indicated that the central observers will travel to Mumbai only after Diwali. Singh and JP Nadda are BJP observers for Maharashtra.

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is still undecided over visiting Delhi.

So far, the BJP has been non-committal about engaging with its former ally Shiv Sena once again. The BJP is claiming support of 138 MLAs including Independents and smaller parties and is confident of passing the floor test. The BJP won 123 out of 288 seats in Assembly polls.

The Nationalist Congress Party had already offered unconditional outside support to the BJP, which the party has not yet responded to.

Meanwhile, the BJP has approached lone Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MLA Sharad Sonawane, but he's yet to make up his mind. Sonawane said, "The BJP has approached me but the decision in this regard will be taken by party chief Raj Thackeray."

The BJP has kept all the cards close to its chest and left parties guessing over the government formation. The party may be leaning towards a minority government in the state.