It is clear now BJP is the single largest party but would be short of 25 odd numbers for a simple majority in a house of 288 members. The party's estranged partner Shiv Sena, which is emerging as the second largest party, has given clear indications that it is willing to patch up. Together they would have two-third majority in the assembly.
Though the BJP had called it quits with the Sena following differences over seat-sharing both had kept the doors open for a re-union. Sena's lone nominee in the union cabinet stayed on the Modi government besides the alliance which governments Mumbai municipality along with some other bodies in Maharashtra survived.
Though `Modi' factor did not deliver a clear majority for the BJP it is a remarkable feat for the saffron party to have reached close to a simple majority as it is for the for the first time BJP tested its strength all over the state. In several constituencies the BJP did not have a candidate and had to hunt hard before the nominations closed.
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Om Mathur, BJP in-charge of Maharashtra polls, said the trends were an evidence of the people's faith in Mr. Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.
He said the probability of the BJP not getting enough seats to form government on its own was secondary. "The people of Maharashtra have shown their confidence in the PM, for the road map laid by him for the whole country," he said.
BJP leaders say the party is likely to negotiate with the SenaPankaja Munde, daughter of Gopinath Munde, had said that if needed she would step in to negotiate with the Sena.
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What conditions will the Sena will put to its estranged ally if the BJP approaches it-will Maharashtra have the CM's post on rotational basis?
The Sena, which ran an aggressive campaign against the BJP, is likely to bargain hard in the alliance.