Sena sources claimed BJP chief Amit Shah had called Uddhav Thackeray.
The hectic politicking over a post-poll tie-up to form the next government of Maharashtra witnessed an unexpected twist on Sunday evening when the BJP denied making any calls to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.
With the BJP falling short of a majority by 22 seats, speculation was rife that it would go with former ally Shiv Sena, which has won 63 seats. The BJP won 123. The Sena chief indicated that he was open to offers, saying "They (the BJP) can get in touch if they want". But the party, he added, had not contacted him.
An hour later, Sena sources claimed that BJP chief Amit Shah had indeed called Mr Thackeray.
But the BJP denied making any calls. "We didn't call. No one in Parliament board called or got one from Shiv Sena," senior BJP leader JP Nadda told NDTV.
While the BJP's top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met in Delhi this evening to review their options, the back-channel negotiations between the two parties appeared to have made progress.
Senior BJP leaders have indicated that they see the most "natural fit" with the Shiv Sena, an ally for 25 years till they split last month over seat sharing. Sources in the Sena said the party was willing to accept the post of Deputy Chief Minister and was open to talks about other key portfolios.
But the Sena's position has weakened after the Nationalist Congress Party, or NCP, made an open offer external support to a BJP government - a point Mr Shah was quick to make at an interaction with the media after the poll results were announced.
Mr Thackeray sounded a trifle sulky this evening when he said if the BJP wants, "They can go with the NCP".
The BJP is keeping its options open. The party's Parliamentary Board has also decided to send two observers each to Maharashtra and Haryana to decide who would be the chief ministers.
Senior party leader and Union home minister Rajnath Singh and Mr Nadda will be the observers for Maharashtra. "So far we have not taken any decision on chief ministers of Maharashtra or Haryana," Mr Singh said after a meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Board.