Formation of Shiv Sena-led government is in final stages: Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai: Amid hectic political activity for government formation in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday met his party's legislators here and told them that the process to form a Sena-led dispensation in the state was in the final stages.

Thackeray met the legislators to apprise them of the government formation process and meetings of Congress-NCP leaders in Delhi, Sena MLA Bhaskar Jadhav told PTI. "Uddhavji met and told us that the process of formation of Sena-led government is in the final stages," he said.

"The legislators have fully endorsed the party's efforts to stitch up an alliance with Congress and NCP to form the next government in the state," Jadhav said. He said the MLAs want Thackeray to become the chief minister. "We want Uddhavji to be the chief minister. But his word would be final and would be binding on all of us," he said. According to Jadhav, Thackeray rejected speculation that the BJP was in touch with him and had offered the chief minister's post to the Shiv Sena.

"Till today, I haven't got any call from the top BJP leadership. This is nothing but a ploy to malign the image of shiv sena," he quoted the Sena president as saying. Thackeray instructed the MLAs to stay together in Mumbai as they may be required any time, he said.

Sena MLA Prakash Surve told reporters that the government will be formed in two to three days and the next chief minister will be from the Shiv Sena. "Uddhavji is concerned about the plight of farmers," he said. Sena MLA Sunil Prabhu said all the party MLAs have been asked to stay together, while another legislator, Uday Samant, said no one can poach the Sena lawmakers. "We are together in Mumbai due to the fast changing political developments," he added.

Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik said the state will soon have a government headed by a Sena chief minister. "We want Uddhavji to become the chief minister and we have put our demand across to him." he said. A meeting of the leaders of Sena, NCP and Congress is scheduled to take place later on Friday, following which the three parties are expected to stake claim to form the new government in Maharashtra.