[Aditya Thackeary after winning the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly election from Worli, Mumbai Thursday. (Photo: Aditya Thackeray/Twitter)]
Mumbai: Buoyed by Thursday's unexpected results in the October 21 Assembly elections, the Maharashtra Congress on Friday hinted that it could offer "support" to a Shiv Sena-led government.
The indication came a day after senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and ex-Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and senior Congress MP Hussain Dalwai extended similar proposals, ostensibly in a bid to keep Sena ally and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of power.
"We have not received any communication from the Sena on this yet. However, if it comes, we shall put it up with the party high command for a decision in the matter," state Congress President Balasaheb Thorat told mediapersons.
The Congress, NCP and all its allies together have bagged a significant chunk of 117 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly. The BJP-Shiv Sena combined tally stands at 161.
Individually, BJP has won 105 seats and Shiv Sena has bagged 56 seats. The support of 144 MLAs is needed to form the government.
Among the winners is also Thackeray scion Aaditya, son of Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray. While campaigning for the 2019 Maharashtra elections, Shiv Sena has extensively called for party's "Chief Minister" - indirectly proposing Aaditya Thackeray's name for the key post.
On Thursday evening, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had categorically dismissed such speculative suggestions, affirming that the next government will be formed by the BJP and its allies.
For all the latest News, Opinions and Views, download ummid.com App.
Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
Abu Asim Azmi wins in Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar assembly seat of Maharashtra
Mufti Ismail of AIMIM is leading by more than 19,000 votes in Malegaon Center
Also Read
Asif Shaikh struggles against Mufti Ismail in Malegaon 2019 State Elections: Exit Poll
Mumbai Corporator Rais Shaikh wins Bhiwandi East seat by over 45000 votes
Alliance University Bengaluru Chancellor held for murder of ex-VC
Rampur By-Election 2019: Azam Khan's political fortunes at stake
India closer to install world's largest face recognition system
Mother claims Kamlesh Tiwari is killed over temple land dispute
Three clerics, two others detained in Kamlesh Tiwari murder case
Sunni Waqf Board built a strong case on Characteristics of Babri Masjid
Constitution also has Article 47, Congress reminds as Modi keeps harping on Article 370
Review: This 10.2-inch Apple iPad is bigger, better yet available for just Rs 29,900