BJP signals it is ready to do business once again with Sena

Shedding its initial reservations, BJP today signaled it could do business with estranged ally Shiv Sena which sent two emissaries here for discussions with its leadership on government-formation in Maharashtra.
At the same time, BJP also appeared not to close the option of taking NCP's outside support in case a deal with Shiv Sena does not materialize.
Shiv Sena, which had breathed fire against BJP during the assembly poll campaign, has deputed two senior leaders for discussions with the BJP leadership, sources said.
Anil Desai, a Rajya Sabha member and Subhash Desai, another senior Sena leader, arrived in Delhi late in the night for discussions with the BJP leadership, sidelining its harliner Sanjay Raut.

Apparently with an eye on Shiv Sena, BJP deferred the visit of Home Minister Rajnath Singh who was chosen as a central observer for election of the leader of BJP Legislature Party in Mumbai. He will now go to Mumbai after Diwali as back channel talks on the possibility of getting Shiv Sena back on BJP's terms continued, party sources said.
In the midst of hectic consultations on government- formation, senior BJP leader from Maharashtra Vilas Mungantiwar gave a new twist to the leadership race by favouring Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for the post of chief minister.
That the party has not closed the doors for Shiv Sena was evident from the remarks made by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Om Mathur, the party's election incharge for Maharashtra.