File photo of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray
After days of saying "let's talk" but steering largely clear of each other, the BJP and the Shiv Sena are officially opening negotiations for a reconciliation that could allow them to form the next government in Maharashtra together.
The Sena has deputed two leaders - Subhash and Anil Desai - to meet with BJP heavyweights in Delhi. The talks will relieve Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, who was made to sweat by the BJP's non-committal stand on when and whether it would seriously engage with him.
"We are talking to Shiv Sena. I hope the results will be positive. We are happy to form a government with them," said Union minister and senior BJP leader from Maharashtra Nitin Gadkari.
Earlier today, Om Prakash Mathur, a key strategist of the BJP, told NDTV that the Shiv Sena is "a natural ally" but said the terms of negotiations are clear. "We are the big brother. The Shiv Sena should accept that," he said.
In the election, the BJP won its best-ever result in Maharashtra but needs 22 more seats to form the government. The Shiv Sena, with whom it split acrimoniously in September, placed second. Any chance of the Shiv Sena exploiting the BJP's need for a partner was blown to pieces by Sharad Pawar's party, the NCP, which made a surprise public offer to back the BJP.
Mr Pawar's party was a partner of the BJP's arch-rival, the Congress, though that marriage also ended before the state election.
Mr Thackeray has sulkily said that after he called the PM and BJP president Amit Shah after the election results to suggest "looking forward", there was no follow through. The BJP, keen to tighten the squeeze on him, has repeatedly declared that it has not yet ruled out Mr Pawar as its new political spouse.
BJP sources have made it clear that the Shiv Sena has to accept that it is not in a position to claim hefty posts like Deputy Chief Minister or key portfolios like Finance or Home, should a reconciliation be forged.