BJP keen to have post-poll alliance with Shiv Sena, says senior state BJP leader Tawde

Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is eager to have Shiv Sena on board in the government and is in talks with the former ally over government formation in Maharashtra, senior state party leader Vinod Tawde told media in Mumbai on Sunday.

"The BJP is keen to have a post-poll alliance with Shiv Sena," Mr Tawde said.

When asked on the issue of allocation of portfolios, "Let our minds meet first without any pre-conditions. Issues of portfolio can be discussed later. People of the state want a good and corruption-free government after 15 years of misrule," he said.

The Sena and the BJP's 25-year-old alliance had come to an end before the state assembly elections, after the impasse over seat-sharing.

The BJP, which won 123 seats, emerged as the single largest party in the elections held for the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly. It has already been offered unconditional outside support by the Nationalist Congress Party, which won 41 seats.

Shiv Sena is the second largest party in the House with 63 MLA’s.

"We will prove our majority in the house if the Governor desires," said Mr Khadse.

When asked about Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar's statement that state BJP leaders did not want to take along Sena, Tawde said BJP is keen to have a post-poll alliance with Shiv Sena.

"The next process of government formation will start after election of the Legislature Party leader. Apart from Rajnath Singh and J P Nadda, O P Mathur and Rajiv Pratap Rudy will be also present at the meeting (on October 28)," he said.

Refusing to divulge details on government formation talks with Sena, Tawde said talks are on between Sena and BJP leaders. "Leadership will take a decision," he added.