Exclusive: Behind Shiv Sena's Hard Stance, Uddhav Thackeray's Wait For 'Elusive' Phone Call From Modi

Almost 15 days have gone by since the Maharashtra Assembly Elections threw up a hung house on October 24. With the BJP winning 105 seats, it was clear that it won’t be a cakewalk for Devendra Fadnavis. The biggest opposition for BJP came from its oldest ally – the Shiv Sena. The hard stance of sticking to the 50:50 formula meant that Maharashtra would have to wait for its new Chief Minister. But sources say that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is ready for negotiation. However, this means direct conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reliable sources have told News Nation that Thackeray has been waiting for that elusive phone call from PM Modi. It is understood that in case Modi calls, Thackeray would be ready for any kind of arrangement. But so far, there has been zero communication between the top leadership of both parties.

The BJP leaders know that the Shiv Sena is bargaining hard and putting all sort of pressure on it. Maharashtra BJP leaders feel if the Prime Minister intervenes in this process, it will be seen as the BJP succumbing to the pressure tactics. The BJP doesn't want to give message that leader like Modi can succumb to the pressure of Uddhav Thackeray

Meanwhile, resort politics is in full action with al parties ‘protecting’ their lawmakers by keeping them at various hotels. Barring the BJP, both Shiv Sena and Congress have moved their MLAs to some hotels. In fact, the Congress has moved the MLAs out of Maharashtra. Latest buzz is that the Congress MLAs will now stay at a hotel in Rajasthan. 

The two parties, which contested the election under the banner of 'Mahayuti', are bickering over power-sharing formula since October 24, when the poll results were out. The NCP and the Congress won 54 and 44 seats, respectively, in the election to the 288-member assembly where the majority mark is 145.