BJP-Sena combine set to retain power

Mumbai : Maharashtra on Thursday set to have a BJP-Shiv Sena alliance government for another five years, even as results of the Assembly polls threw up what a former CM called an "interesting possibility" of the Sena, NCP and Congress aligning to upset the BJP's applecart.

As per the latest results/ trends, the BJP's tally in the 288-member Assembly was 105, including 96 seats where results were declared. The Sena's tally was 56, including 55 results, the NCP's was 54, including 49 results, while the Congress' was 44, including 35 results. Results of 261 seats were out till 9.20 pm.

In the 2014 polls, the BJP had won 122 seats, the Sena 63, the Congress 42 and the NCP 41. The BJP and Sena had then contested separately. The Sena joined the BJP-led government over a month after it was formed.

Former CM Prithviraj Chavan said the results have thrown up an "interesting possibility", but stopped short of indicating if the Congress and NCP will align with the Sena - which he termed as the 'lesser evil' to form the next government .

In terms of the increase in number of seats compared to the 2014 polls, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP emerged as the largest gainer, while the BJP's tally took a considerable dip.