'We won't mind forming an alternative govt in Maharashtra if...': NCP leader Nawab Malik

Following a statement from Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut that the party can get the required numbers if required, NCP leader Nawab Malik has given indications that his party might join hands with Shiv Sena if the latter fails to come to an agreement with the BJP.

The statement by Malik has further prompted speculations in Maharashtra where BJP and Shiv Sena are locked in a power tussle to form government in the state.

"Shiv Sena has the mandate to form the government. It is the BJP's responsibility to form the government with its allies. If they are unable to do so, we won't mind forming an alternative government. Shiv Sena is asking for the chief minister's post, and if they are determined, it is not impossible", he said.

NCP leader Nawab Malik: BJP-Shiv-Sena have got people's mandate to form a stable govt in Maharashtra. We want them to form govt and prove majority on the floor of the House. If they are not able to prove majority, then, we will certainly try to form government. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/wIBsBCJGfE

— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2019

Malik hasn't denied the possibility of coming together with Shiv Sena to contest the election for the Assembly Speaker. Speaking to Zee News, he mentioned the BJP speaker and not BJP-Shiv Sena speaker.

"For the Speaker, BJP will field its own candidate and being the opposition, we'll field our own. A decision will be taken according to the situation at that time.

NCP also asked Congress to clear its stand on the situation.

"Congress should decide and bring clarity. If BJP fails to form the government, it becomes the responsibility of all other parties to form an alternative government.

He also attacked BJP for oppressing Shiv Sena for the last five years as both parties formed an alliance after the 2014 Assembly Elections in Maharashtra. "The BJP has oppressed Shiv Sena for five years and now they (Shiv Sena) know that BJP will finish them. BJP's Sudhir Mungantiwar is threatening that the assembly will be suspended if the party doesn't come to power. There's no place for threats in democracy", he added.

Earlier in the morning, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut had said that the party would get the required numbers to form a stable government in the state if determined.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Raut said that people of Maharashtra have given the mandate to form the government on the 50:50 formula that was decided even before the Assembly elections adding that people want Chief Minister from Shiv Sena.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has also said that the Shiv Sena had a rightful claim on the Chief Minister's post because the party had performed well in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections.

The BJP and Shiv Sena contested the recently-held Maharashtra assembly elections together and won 105 and 56 seats, respectively. But the Shiv Sena's demand of "50-50 formula" for power-sharing has delayed the government formation.