As power battle intensifies in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena shifts MLAs to hotel

The ongoing tussle between Shiv Sena and BJP over forming government in Maharashtra has taken a new turn on Thursday after Sena decided to shift its MLAs to a hotel in Mumbai. 

Shifting elected members to a hotel or resort has been observed in India in recent times in order to avoid poaching by other parties. This move is taken as any one party fails to get the required numbers to form the government. 

The decision was taken after Shiv Sena MLAs met party chief Uddhav Thackeray at his residence "Matoshree" on Thursday. "We (Shiv Sena MLAs) will be staying at Hotel Rangsharda for next 2 days. We will do whatever Uddhav Sahab asks us to do," said Shiv Sena MLA Gulabrao Patil, reports ANI.

Today, a delegation of BJP led by party's state head Chandrakant Patil also met the Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari. Reports also floated today of union minister Nitin Gadkari taking over as CM post. Gadkari later clarified that he has no intention of becoming the CM of Maharashtra but added that government in Maharashtra will be formed under the leadership of incumbent CM Devendra Fadnavis. Gadkari is also seen as a mediator between BJP and Shiv Sena. 

In the 288-member Assembly in Maharashtra, 145 seats are required by any one group to form the government. The Shiv Sena and BJP entered into an alliance during elections in Maharashtra but after the elections got over both parties are locked horn over the post of the CM. On one hand, BJP claims that no 50:50 formula was decided before the elections, while Shiv Sena says that both parties decided to enter into an alliance with an equal tenure of CMs of their respective parties. 

The demand to make Uddhav's son Aaditya Thackeray as CM is also rising within the Sena.  

In the Maharashtra Assembly elections, BJP got the maximum seats: 105 and Shiv Sena won 56 seats. Both parties are well short of a majority but can form a government if they come together. 

On Wednesday, Sharad Pawar, chief of NCP, which won 56 seats, has also clarified that his party will not come into an alliance with Shiv Sena and prefer to play the role of the Opposition. 

(With inputs from ANI)