Shiv Sena MLAs being moved to Rang Sharda hotel

In the latest development in Maharashtra impasse, Shiv Sena MLAs are being moved to Rang Sharda hotel for next two days

“We (Shiv Sena MLAs) will be staying at Hotel Rangsharda for next 2 days. We will do whatever Uddhav Sahab asks us to do,” said Gulabrao Patil, Shiv Sena’s MLA after meeting with Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday.

Earlier, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut had dismissed reports that the party was shifting its MLAs to a resort. “There is no need for us to do this, our MLAs are firm in their resolve and committed to the party. Those who are spreading such rumours should worry about their MLAs first,” he told ANI.

He also told reporters that there have been no talks yet between RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on government formation.

Raut added that legislators of his party and the opposition Congress and NCP "would not cross sides". "There have been no talks yet between Bhagwat and Thackeray," the Rajya Sabha member said.

The BJP and the Shiv Sena are engaged in a bitter tug-of-war over the latter's demand for equal distribution of portfolios and sharing the chief minister's post.

The BJP has rejected the Sena's demand for sharing the chief minister's post for two-and-a-half years each.

The tenure of the present Assembly ends on November 9.

Sources from both the parties on Wednesday said back channel talks were on between the two old but often-feuding Hindutva allies and a breakthrough was expected.