Long-term allies BJP and Shiv Sena won a majority together in last month's Maharashtra elections

After a day of rapid developments, the Maharashtra Governor rejected Shiv Sena's request for a three-day extension to submit the letters of support. A delegation of Shiv Sena led by Aaditya Thackeray met the governor and expressed their willingness to form government in the state.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led party, which ditched the BJP's offer of playing second-fiddle in the state, depends on the support of the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party to form government. The Congress, however, remains non-committal. "The Congress president has spoken to Sharad Pawar. The party will have further discussions with NCP," the party said in a statement.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's top decision-making body, has authorized party president Sonia Gandhi to take the final call

Later, Uddhav Thackeray spoke on the phone with Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi to discuss government formation. Mr Thackeray also met with Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar at a five-star hotel in Mumbai.

The NCP chief held a core group meeting in Mumbai today, over the current political situation in the state. The BJP on Sunday declined to form government in the state as it did not have the numbers. The state Governor then invited Shiv Sena, the second largest party, to stake claim.

The BJP and the Sena, long-term allies for around 30 years, won a majority together in last month's Maharashtra elections. The BJP won 105 seats and the Sena 56, which placed them comfortably ahead of the majority mark of 145 in the 288-member assembly. However, the Sena demanded a guarantee, in writing, that it would have the chief minister's post for half the term and an equal share in ministries, in what it called a "50:50" deal discussed with BJP chief Amit Shah. As Devendra Fadnavis denied any such deal, the Sena's attacks on the BJP became more and more vitriolic.

Here are the LIVE Updates of government formation in Maharashtra:

Nov 11, 2019 21:46 (IST) Raj Bhavan Press Release 11 November 2019 / 9.37 PM pic.twitter.com/8ScUIlrizz - Governor of Maharashtra (@maha_governor) November 11, 2019

Nov 11, 2019 21:30 (IST) Maharashtra Governor Has Called Us, Says Nationalist Congress Party

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik says his party have been asked to show numbers

"We have been called by the Governor, a delegation of our party is meeting him now. We've been called to form the govt. As per the letter given by the Governor we'll hold discussions with Congress and see how a stable government can be provided to the state"



"We will get the letter today and make a final decision by tomorrow after holding discussions with our ally Congress"





Nov 11, 2019 19:55 (IST) Told Maharashtra Governor Of Willing To Form Government, Says Aaditya Thackeray



"We informed the governor of our (to form government in Maharashtra). I believe today, Maharashtra needs a stable government which Shiv Sena will provide," says Aaditya Thackeray

Nov 11, 2019 19:34 (IST) Congress Keeps Shiv Sena Waiting Amid Maharashtra Turmoil

Congress remains non-committal on support to Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. The party issued a statement saying "Will have further discussion"

Nov 11, 2019 19:27 (IST) Shiv Sena Leaders Meet Maharashtra Governor

A Shiv Sena delegation led by Aaditya Thackeray met with Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari

Shiv Sena is likely to ask Governor for 24-hour extension on deadline to stake claim, sources say.

The Shiv Sena had until 7:30 pm to express willingness to form government





Nov 11, 2019 19:20 (IST) Bacchu Kadu, 2 Other Independent MLAs Outside Raj Bhavan Mumbai

"Three of us (independent MLAs) have come here. Whosoever Uddhav Sahab will decide, will be the Chief Minister," says Bacchu Kadu outside Raj Bhavan, Mumbai. "Three of us (independent MLAs) have come here. Whosoever Uddhav Sahab will decide, will be the Chief Minister," says Bacchu Kadu outside Raj Bhavan, Mumbai.

Nov 11, 2019 17:55 (IST) Shiv Sena Leader Sanjay Raut In Hospital After He Complains Of Chest Pain

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut was on Monday admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai after he complained of chest pain, an official at the hospital said Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut was on Monday admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai after he complained of chest pain, an official at the hospital said

Nov 11, 2019 17:26 (IST) Uddhav Thackeray Speaks With Sonia Gandhi Amid Maharashtra Turmoil

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray spoke to Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday as the two ideologically mismatched parties tried to get past their differences to collaborate in a government in Maharashtra Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray spoke to Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday as the two ideologically mismatched parties tried to get past their differences to collaborate in a government in Maharashtra

Nov 11, 2019 17:05 (IST) #WATCH Sunil Raut,brother of Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut: Since last 15 days Sanjay Sahab has been suffering from chest pain. But it's not serious.He has been admitted for routine check up.I think today evening his angiography will be performed&he'll be released in a day or two. pic.twitter.com/8Wk1cys4oH - ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2019

Nov 11, 2019 16:07 (IST) Sanjay Raut Complains Of Chest Pain, Admitted To Hospital

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut was on Monday admitted to Lilavati Hospital after he complained of chest pain

"Sanjay Raut is being treated by Dr Jaleel Parkar," a hospital official said.



Nov 11, 2019 15:01 (IST) Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray meets NCP chief Sharad Pawar

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray met NCP chief Sharad Pawar here on Monday and is learnt to have requested the latter to extend his party's support in forming government, say sources

Nov 11, 2019 14:11 (IST) Arvind Sawant's Resignation Letter

केंद्रीय मंत्रिपदाचा राजीनामा.... मी एक #शिवसैनिक

Resignation from the Union Cabinet pic.twitter.com/ruecZkOIBD - Arvind Sawant (@AGSawant) November 11, 2019

Nov 11, 2019 13:48 (IST) BJP went back from their pre-election promises: Arvind Sawant

Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant: BJP went back from their pre election promises. It would not have been morally right for me to continue in the Centre, so I have resigned as Union Minister. pic.twitter.com/qZLt46dFFC - ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2019

Nov 11, 2019 13:39 (IST) Shiv Sena Union Minister Arvind Sawant shows resignation letter at press conference

BJP did not honour 50-50 formula, our alliance has broken: Arvind Sawant

Nov 11, 2019 13:23 (IST) Meeting between Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP Chief Sharad Pawar underway.



Nov 11, 2019 12:34 (IST) Senior leader Nawab Malik addresses media after NCP leaders meeting concludes



"We held a meeting to discuss the situation in the state. We are waiting for the CWC meeting of the Congress party to get over. A decision on this matter will be made after discussion with them," NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said.

Nov 11, 2019 12:23 (IST) Senior Congress leaders will meet again at 4 p.m. today: Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge after party's Working Committee meeting ends: We have called our Maharashtra leaders to Delhi for further discussions, the meeting will be at 4 pm. https://t.co/A95BwEaOW9pic.twitter.com/iMEFMsh8cD - ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2019

Nov 11, 2019 12:19 (IST) Congress leader Sanjay Jha on the ongoing developments

Ideology is permanent. But politics must be adaptive. - Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) November 11, 2019

Nov 11, 2019 11:32 (IST) Shiv Sena to work towards a Common Minimum Programme with NCP, Congress: Sanjay Raut

"Sharad Pawar and Congress want that we should form the government which should run on a common minimum programme (CMP). There is a need for it today. We are working towards it," Mr Raut told reporters.

Nov 11, 2019 11:11 (IST) Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut reaches the Thackeray family residence

Maharashtra: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut arrives at party chief Uddhav Thackeray's residence in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/q4enQZqU0X - ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2019

Nov 11, 2019 10:54 (IST) Decision on government formation will be taken only after discussions with Congress: Sharad Pawar

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said his party will take a decision pertaining to government formation in Maharashtra only after holding discussions with Congress.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said his party will take a decision pertaining to government formation in Maharashtra only after holding discussions with Congress.

Nov 11, 2019 10:42 (IST) BJP core group meeting at Varsha, Devendra Fadnavis's residence at 11.30 am today

Nov 11, 2019 10:23 (IST) Congress leader Sanjay Jha takes a dig at the BJP

Devendra Fadnavis like most #BJP leaders was hugely over-rated. Political arrogance usually backfires.



My state of Maharashtra needs a good, stable and inclusive new government. - Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) November 11, 2019

Nov 11, 2019 10:17 (IST) Congress leaders at Sonia Gandhi's residence

Senior Congress leaders Ahmed Patel, KC Venugopal, and Mallikarjun Kharge arrive for Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting at party interim President Sonia Gandhi's residence, over the political situation in Maharashtra. https://t.co/6AYpQXMdc0pic.twitter.com/cLpWEeHb5X - ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2019

Nov 11, 2019 10:15 (IST) Sharad Pawar on Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant's resignation as Union Minister

Sharad Pawar, NCP on Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant's resignation as Union Minister: I haven't had a word with anyone regarding anyone's resignation.We'll have a word with Congress today.Whatever decision is to be taken will be taken only after discussions with Congress. #Maharashtrahttps://t.co/qgI4HIzPffpic.twitter.com/CFLve9vo0u - ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2019

Nov 11, 2019 09:55 (IST) Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut at a press meet in Mumbai





The BJP does not want to share the post of chief minister with the Sena. What kind of relationship can we share with them (BJP) if they are not willing to honour the 50-50 deal that was agreed upon before the elections: Sanjat Raut

It would have been easy if Governor had given us more time. BJP was given 72 hours, we've been given lesser time. It's a strategy of BJP to impose President's rule in state, Mr Raut added.

Nov 11, 2019 09:25 (IST) CWC meeting at Sonia Gandhi's residence today

Congress has called a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting today at Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi's residence in Delhi, over the political situation in Maharashtra.

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that the meeting will be held at 10 am today. "Today there is a meeting at 10:00 am then we will do whatever the high command will suggest. Our original stand is that we will sit in the opposition as people gave us mandate to sit in the opposition and we will do the same," he said. Congress has called a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting today at Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi's residence in Delhi, over the political situation in Maharashtra.

Nov 11, 2019 09:13 (IST) Senior Maharashtra Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam on the prevalent political instability in Maharashtra

No matter who forms govt and how ? But the political instability in Maharashtra can not be ruled out now. Get ready for early elections. It may take place in 2020.

Can we go to the elections with ShivSena as partner ? - Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) November 11, 2019

Nov 11, 2019 08:57 (IST) BJP core group meeting to be held today at the residence of Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai.

Nov 11, 2019 08:49 (IST) NCP has called for a meeting today at 10 am at YB Chauhan Center. Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil to be present.

Nov 11, 2019 08:15 (IST) Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant Quits As Union Minister Amid Tussle With BJP: "Why Stay In Delhi?"

The Shiv Sena's Arvind Sawant announced this morning that he was resigning as a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, in what is seen as a precursor to the party's severing of ties with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after a feud over government formation in Maharashtra." itemprop="description The Shiv Sena's Arvind Sawant announced this morning that he was resigning as a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, in what is seen as a precursor to the party's severing of ties with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after a feud over government formation in Maharashtra." itemprop="description