Cong & NCP agree to back Sena Chief as CM

PUNE / NEW DELHI: Highly placed sources confirmed to Sakal Times in the late hours of Tuesday night that Congress President Sonia Gandhi has agreed to back Shiv Sena chief Udhhav Thackeray as Chief Minister of Maharashtra leading a government set up by Sena, NCP and Congress jointly. 

All day long meetings were held with the top leadership of the party at Congress President's  New Delhi residence to have consultations on the matter. Most elected MLAs of the Congress party in Maharashtra had already given their concent to supporting the Sena.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar who is widely seen to be the architect of this new alliance in Maharashtra had held talks behind closed door with Sonia Gandhi on Monday. Sources said it was Pawar who brought up Uddhav Thackeray's name for Chief Minister's post and said that this name should be acceptable to all.

On Wednesday hectic activity was seen at Shiv Sena Bhavan as well as Uddhav Thackeray's residence Matoshree. Sources said Sena MLAs were asked by the party to reach Mumbai and remain in the state capital for a week. 

Sources said the Congress had accepted to take 12 berths in New Maharashtra government while NCP would be given 14 and Sena could keep 16. It was also indicated that Sena would get the CM's post for a full tenure of five years without any division in the tenure with coalition partners. 
Further talks between alliance partners is about portfolios and other matters is expected to take place over the next four or five days.

Top sources in Shiv Sena also confirmed these developments on Wednesday morning saying MLAs have been invited to Mumbai and asked to stay in the state capital for at least a week.