Mumbai, November 2: Amid the open-ended power war with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over government formation in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena targeted the BJP by asking "is the President in your pocket?". This development comes a day after saffron party leader Sudhir Mungantiwar warned that if the decision of forming a government is delayed, President's rule would be imposed in the state. President's Rule in Maharashtra if No Government in Place by November 7, Says BJP Leader Sudhir Mungantiwar.

Upset over BJP not accepting "rotational chief ministership formula", Shiv Sena in party's mouthpiece Saamana launched a scathing attack. The Marathi editorial titled “Insult to Maharashtra, Is President in your pocket?" read, "Mungantiwar's statements are a proof of the toxicity brewing with the party (BJP) and in his mind."

"Is the President under your (BJP) control or President's stamp is at BJP's office which will be used if the party is not able to form government in the state and President's rule can be imposed in Maharashtra?" the article further reads. From BJP-Led Minority Government to Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress Alliance, List of Likely Political Scenarios.

Reacting to Mungantiwar's comment, Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, "If there is a delay in formation of government in a state, and a minister from the ruling party says President's rule will be implemented in Maharashtra if government isn't formed, is this a threat to the MLAs who have been elected?"

In 2019 Maharashtra Assembly Elections, the BJP won 105 and Sena finished with 56 of the state's 288 seats. The allies of 30 years, Sena and BJP, can comfortably past the 145-majority mark. However, the Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray brought up "50:50 division of portfolios" last week. The NCP is placed third with 54 seats, while the Congress won 44.

Shiv Sena has also warned Bharatiya Janata Party that there are other options available for them, hinting at possible support from Sharad Pawar's NCP and Congress. Meanwhile, the tenure of the current Legislative Assembly ends on November 8.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 02, 2019 12:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).