BJP gets support of independent MLAs in Haryana; Sena plays hardball in Maha

The BJP on Friday inched closer to form the government in Haryana after garnering the support of at least seven independent MLAs but a trickier balancing act awaits the party in Maharashtra where its ally Shiv Sena is playing hardball by demanding an equal share in the new dispensation.

Sources said BJP president Amit Shah may hold parleys with Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to hammer out a deal before the saffron alliance stakes claim to form the government in the western state.

The BJP parliamentary board had on Thursday authorised Shah to take all decisions on the formation of new governments in the two states.

Talks with Sena at the top level may happen after Diwali, sources said.

Moving swiftly to ensure the support of a majority of MLAs in Haryana after its tally fell to 40 in the 90-member assembly, senior BJP leaders, including its working president J P Nadda, held parleys with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and other senior leaders. The party has received support of seven independent MLAs.

According to sources, Khattar is likely to stake claim on Saturday to form government in the state following a meeting of the BJP legislative party in Chandigarh.

Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP general secretary Arun Singh will attend the legislative party meeting as central observers,