Mumbai, Nov 11 (IANS): Maharashtra Governor B.S. Koshyari late on Monday invited the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to form the next government in the state, the partys national spokesperson Nawab Malik said.

"Our delegation has been invited by the Governor and the indication is that a letter of invitation will be given to us. Tomorrow we shall discuss with the Congress on the ways and means to form the next government," Malik told newpersons.

Earlier, senior NCP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar informed the media that he was called by the Governor at 8.30 p.m. and he was proceeding to the Raj Bhavan for a meeting along with half-a-dozen other leaders, but claimed that he had no knowledge as to why he was called.

Sharad Pawar

Malik added that given the short 24-hour time limit, the Congress-NCP could not comply with all the requirements to enable the Shiv Sena finalise its claim for forming the government.

"The Governor requires letters with signatures, names, constituency names and the number of all the supporting legislators which was difficult to organise at such a short notice. The Sena sought additional time, but the Governor expressed his inability to grant the extension," Malik said.

Earlier, on Sunday, the Bharatiya Janata Party expressed its inability to form the government, and on Monday, the Shiv Sena could not produce the letters of support from the Congress and the NCP though it has secured 'in-principle' support from both the parties. And now, the NCP has been given the opportunity.

Earlier reports

Fresh twist to Maha govt formation as Aditya Thackeray meets Governor 

In a fresh twist to the ongoing political drama in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena on Monday expressed its willingness and staked its claim to form the government in the state.

"We were given 24 hours' time to express our willingness to form the government. We have shown our willingness and also staked our claim. We sought additional time of two days from the Governor, which was declined," Shiv Sena leader and MLA Aditya Thackeray told a media conference at Raj Bhavan on Monday evening.

He said the Governor had accepted the claim, but refused to give extension of time, and that Sena would make another trip to Raj Bhavan soon.

Congress, NCP and Sena leaders have claimed that letters of support have already been submitted to the Sena leadership, and that the Congress has also sent a fax in this regard to the Sena.

Aditya Thackeray

A Sena leader said the party was required to submit the original letters of support and there was also a possibility of parading supporting legislators of all parties at Raj Bhavan, which would take time to organize.

The disappointing development came after a hectic day in which Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi spoke with Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar, and a letter of support was faxed to the Shiv Sena, according to sources on all sides.

Earlier, Pawar met Sena President Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai to finalise the understanding, and later Thackeray spoke with Sonia Gandhi to make a formal request for support.

As the Sena delegation reached Raj Bhavan, celebrations broke out among Shiv Sainiks, with distribution of sweets and bursting fire-crackers in different parts of the state, including Mumbai and Thane.

Congress to support Shiv Sena-led government in Maharashtra

In a watershed development in state politics, the Congress will support a Shiv Sena-led government in Maharashtra, sources in all state parties said.

The development came after a hectic day crowned by Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi first speaking with Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar, then faxing a letter of support to the Shiv Sena, followed by a copy being faxed to the Raj Bhavan, sealing the tripartite deal.

Earlier, Pawar met Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai to finalise the understanding, and later Thackeray spoke with Gandhi to make a formal request for support.

Uddhav Thackeray, Sonia Gandhi

 
Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray

Armed with support letters from both Congress and NCP, a high-level Shiv Sena delegation comprising Aditya Thackeray, Eknath Shinde and other senior leaders has already reached the Raj Bhavan to meet Governor B.S. Koshyari to stake their claim to form the government.

According to tentative reports, the Sena may be able to prove the support of more than 170 legislators, but it is not clear who would be elected as Chief Minister.

Will hold further talks with NCP: Congress on Maharashtra

The Congress on Monday kept on the suspense on extending support to the Shiv Sena, which looks set to stake its claim to form the government in Maharashtra.

The Congress, which held marathon meetings during the day, issued a statement saying it will hold "further discussion" with its alliance partner Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which was all inclined to support the Shiv Sena in the state.

In the statement issued after the meeting chaired by Sonia Gandhi, the party said: "The Congress Working Committee met this morning (Monday) and had a detailed discussion on the situation in Maharashtra after which a consultation was held with Maharashtra Congress leaders. The Congress President (Sonia Gandhi) has spoken to Sharad Pawar. The party will have further discussion with the NCP."

Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray also spoke to Sonia Gandhi seeking her support to form the government in the state.