Congress, NCP indicate coalition with Sena almost finalised, govt soon in Maharashtra

In a clear indication of joining hands with the Shiv Sena, leaders of the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Wednesday expressed confidence of forming a "stable" government in Maharashtra in the coming days.

After a marathon meeting of senior leaders of the two parties at NCP supremo Sharad Pawar's residence here, former chief minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan said the alliance is hopeful of ending the spell of political uncertainty in the state and working to provide a stable government.

NCP Spokesperson Nawab Malik, who joined Chavan at a press conference after the meeting, was categorical in indicating that the two parties will join hands with the Shiv Sena saying it is clear that the three parties will have to come together.

In a related development, Shiv Sena strategist Sanjay Raut said that there will be good news soon, hinting that the much-awaited Maharashtra coalition formation is more or less done.

"As soon as the Congress-NCP meeting is over, we will meet Pawar sahib", said Raut.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi appears to have come around and finally given the green signal to the coalition with Shiv Sena and NCP for government formation in Maharashtra.

According to sources, the chief ministership will be on a rotation basis with Shiv Sena holding the post for the first 2 years and NCP to hold the office for the second half of the term. The Congress may get the Assembly Speaker’s post.

(With agencies inputs)