File Photo: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Prime Minister Narendra Modi
The politicking over a post-poll tie-up to form the next government of Maharashtra got hectic on Sunday evening, when Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray made a phone call to BJP chief Amit Shah, Sena sources said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was present, also took part in the conversation, said a source who was present at Matoshree - the Thackeray residence - when the call was made. But in the 10-minute conversation, "no specifics were discussed, only a broad agreement was made to move forward," he added.
With the BJP falling short of a majority in Maharashtra by 22 seats, it was widely expected that it would go with former ally Shiv Sena, which 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 he indicated that he was waiting for a call from the BJP.
What marred the calculations was the Nationalist Congress Party's offer of 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 when he said if the BJP wants, "They can go with the NCP". Later, he had called Mr Shah, Sena sources said.
"Whatever has happened is in the past, how do we move forward," the source quoted Mr Thackeray saying. "Yes, let's move forward," PM Modi had reportedly replied.
Later, Mr Thackeray also spoke to Devendra Fadnavis, the frontrunner for the chief minister's post and senior BJP leader Om Mathur.
While senior BJP leaders, including PM 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 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.
Officially, the BJP has kept 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.