The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in the state of Maharashtra ended as the Sena’s lone MP in the Union Cabinet, Arvind Sawant, announced that he has resigned as the Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. Sawant’s resignation comes after the BJP on Sunday evening announced that it will not be staking claim to form the government in Maharashtra, as it does not have the required numbers.
Here are five latest developments from the state:
Accusing the Maharashtra BJP of lying and reiterating that the Sena always stood for truth, Sawant said in a series of tweets that prior to the Lok Sabha election, a formula was decided on power-sharing between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Sena.
Arvind Sawant
"It was acceptable to both sides, but by rejecting it, an attempt is made to portray the Sena as a liar. This is shocking and a blot on the state's self-respect ('swabhiman')," Sawant said.
"The Shiv Sena has insulted the public mandate... If it is in a position to form the government along with the support of the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party, our best wishes are with them," said Patil, flanked by his former minister colleagues like Ashish Shelar, Sudhir Mungantiwar, Vinod Tawde, Pankaja Munde and Girish Mahajan.
There is speculation that the Shiv Sena is likely to secure the outside support of the third largest party - Nationalist Congress Party (55 MLAs), and the fourth-largest Congress (44) — in its bid to form the government.
With Arvind Sawant resigning as a Cabinet minister, the chances are that Congress may consider the alliance.