Sharad Pawar: Won't support Sena, party will sit in opposition

The people of Maharashtra want Nationalist Congress Party to be in the opposition and the party will do that, said Sharad Pawar on Friday.

Sharad Pawar's statement comes amid the chances of the NDA member Shiv Sena forming government with the help of NCP and Congress in Maharashtra.

He also said that the war between both the parties over sharing chief minister's post is quite 'childish'.

In the Maharashtra assembly polls held on October 21, the BJP and Shiv Sena won 105 and 56 seats respectively. While the NCP and Congress won 54 and 44 seats respectively.

On being asked about the chances of Shiv Sena forming government with the help of NCP and Congress, Mr Pawar said that no such discussion has happened in his party.

"We do not have a clear majority. The people have asked us to sit in the opposition. We accept the mandate and will ensure that we play that role effectively," he said.

The Shiv Sena wants BJP to share the post of Chief Minister for 2.5 years on a rotational basis. The BJP is hesitant to accept such arrangement. 

Any political party or alliance wanting to form a government shall need the support of at least 145 MLAs on the floor of the 288-member state assembly.