Senior Congress leaders defer Mumbai visit, Pawar to meet state MLAs today

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Thakre said they might also hold discussion with the Shiv Sena leaders. “If required we will hold discussion with the Shiv Sena,” he said. Thakre said there are “certain things” which will be clarified today.

Explained: Unlikely allies, but the Shiv Sena has had a soft corner for Pawar

The Congress virtually dashed Shiv Sena’s hopes of forming a government under its leadership in Maharashtra as the party looked reluctant to enter into an alliance with the latter. “Congress was not comfortable with Sena’s stand on Ram temple construction and Uniform Civil Code,” said a Sena functionary.

Sources said both Sonia and former chief Rahul Gandhi were not in favour of backing a Sena-led government. The Congress high command, however, did not rule out any possibility publicly and kept the Sena waiting.

Read | Experts divided over Governor’s move to deny Sena more time

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut who is admitted to Lilavati Hospital following complaints of chest pain, in a tweet said, “Koshish karne walo ki haar nahi hoti ..Hum honge kaamyaab.”

In another development, Shiv Sena leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Aditya Thackeray will hold discussions with Sena MLAs and brief them about development.