Mumbai: On Friday, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray charged the BJP with cheating, blaming his old ally for a recent breakdown of relations and telling his MLAs that a new alliance would be agreed by night. Uddhav Thackeray did not reveal at a meeting with Shiv Sena MLAs whether he would lead the prospective coalition as chief minister, although he had a chorus of demands to assume the role. He said he would take a decision at the right time.

Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party, which has 2 MLAs and is associated with the combination of Congress-NCP, has requested Muslims reservations. It also wants the Shiv Sena to abandon Hindutva. Since November 12, Maharashtra has been under the rule of the President following an almost three-week political deadlock caused by a rift in ties between the BJP and the Shiv Sena.