Mumbai, November 1: The Shiv Sena hardened its stance on 50-50 formula to form government in Maharashtra with ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, who on Thursday met Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, said that his party can achieve required numbers to form government in the state. While Shiv Sena has 56 legislators, a party or coalition needs the support of 145 MLAs to prove majority in 288-member Maharashtra assembly. Maharashtra Government Formation: From BJP-Led Minority Government to Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress Alliance, List of Likely Political Scenarios.

"If Shiv Sena decides, it'll get the required numbers to form a stable government in the state. People have given the mandate to form government on basis of 50-50 formula that was reached in front of people of Maharashtra. They want Chief Minister from Shiv Sena," Raut said. Shiv Sena has been saying that while sealing alliance for the Lok Sabha polls, Uddhav Thackeray was promised equal share in power, including Chief Minister's post, by BJP chief Amit Shah in presence of Devendra Fadnavis. Shiv Sena Should Accept Deputy CM Post For Aaditya Thackeray And Leave CM Chair For Devendra Fadnavis, Says Ramdas Athawale.

On Thursday, Uddhav Thackeray spoke to Shiv Sena MLAs, leaders and workers and made it clear that the party won't relent on its demand for chief ministerial post. "The equal power-sharing formula was decided before Lok Sabha polls between me, (BJP national president) Amit Shah and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. We want things to be as was decided and nothing more than that," Uddhav said at the meeting.

Taking a dig at Devendra Fadnavis, the Shiv Sena also remarked that no can could make "permanent claim" on the CM's post, adding that he was in touch with the Congress and NCP. Shiv Sena has demanded a written assurance that the CM post will be given to them for 2.5 years. Fadnavis, however, has dismissed Shiv Sena's 50-50 formula, asserting that he will remain Chief Minister for the next 5 years.

"I assure you that this will be a BJP-led government. The Shiv Sena was not promised CM's post for two-and-a-half years when the alliance was formalised before the Lok Sabha polls," Fadnavis told reporters earlier this week.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 01, 2019 10:54 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).