Will soon stake claim to form govt with Congress and Shiv Sena, says NCP

The Sena is set to have a meeting with its legislators in Mumbai on Friday. Congress leaders separately met Sena's Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut

Ending days of speculation, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress leaders on Wednesday said the two allies, along with the Shiv Sena, will soon stake claim to form a coalition government in Maharashtra.

“There cannot be any government in Maharashtra without the Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress. We are trying our best to resolve issues,” NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said, adding the parties will provide a stable government.

Malik and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan jointly addressed the media in the national capital after a meeting of the leaders of their two parties at the residence of NCP chief Sharad