With the Governor pushing the coalition partners hard, the Congress and NCP on Wednesday promised to form a government in Maharashtra "in a day or two", nearly a fortnight after the results gave them a majority in the elections.
Governor S C Jamir, who had on Tuesday called Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Deputy Chief Minister Chagan Bhujbal for consultations, on Wednesday said he has told the two leaders that it was their responsibility to form a government without delay.
He told a delegation of Shiv Sena-BJP leaders that he is "very anxious to have an elected government installed as early as possible."
"The Governor told the delegation that he had reminded caretaker Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and NCP leaders Chhagan Bhujbal and R R Patil yesterday that since the electorate of Maharashtra had given them a fresh mandate, it was their responsibility to respect the mandate and form a government without any further delay," a Raj Bhawan spokesperson said.
Differences will be resolved "in a day or two": Patel
Separately, the Union Minister and NCP leader Praful Patel on Wednesday said he was hopeful that NCP and Congress would resolve their differences over portfolio allocation in Maharashtra “in a day or two“.
At a function to lay the foundation of the International Football Academy here, Mr. Patel said he was hopeful that the impasse over formation of the new government would come to an end in a day or two after “amicably” settling all issues including portfolios.
“We are hoping for a win-win situation for both (NCP and Congress),” he said.