Maharashtra: Shiv Sena's talks with BJP continue, here is what it has demanded

Even as public statements by the BJP and the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra are raising tension, the two allies have not stopped the negotiations with a mediator facilitating power-sharing talks for the government formation. 

Maharashtra assembly election results were declared on October 24 and gave a clear majority to BJP-Shiv Sena alliance with the two parties getting 105 and 56 seats, respectively. However, the government formation has been delayed as both the parties entered into a power tussle after Shiv Sena reminded BJP of the '50-50' formula which it claimed was agreed upon before the Lok Sabha elections. 

Sources on Friday said the Shiv Sena has proposed its formula and the BJP has presented a counter-proposal in response. 

The Shiv Sena has demanded the Chief Minister's post for two and half years, besides 21 ministerial berths, including two of four top cabinet portfolios - Home, Finance, Revenue and Urban Development. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party also wants one more ministerial berth at the Centre. 

In its counterproposal, the BJP has offered the deputy chief minister's post and 16 ministerial berths. It has also agreed to give any one of the top four ministres to the Shiv Sena. 

It may also offer one more seat at the ministerial berth at Centre, more likely a Minister of State (Independent Charge) post. 

The negotiations between the two parties are ongoing and if there is no solution, the BJP will stake claim to government as the single largest party even without the support of the Shiv Sena MLAs. 

According to sources, Devendra Fadnavis may take oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister for his second term on November 5.

The BJP has maintained that only Devendra Fadnavis will be Maharashtra CM for the next five years.

In 2014, the two parties had contested the election separately, but none of them was able to reach the majority mark of 245. However, the BJP being the single largest party with 122 MLAs in the 288-member assembly formed a minority government initially, with the Shiv Sena joining the government later.