New Delhi / BJP's threat to impose President's rule is like Mughal's diktat: Sena

Amid a bitter standoff with ally BJP over the formation of the next government in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena has reacted strongly to the state finance minister and BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar's demand for President's rule in the state.

As no headway appears to have been made in Maharashtra government formation eight days after results of the Assembly elections, BJP's Sudhir Mungatiwar on Friday declared that Maharashtra may head for President's rule if the new government in the state is not in place by November 7.

Reacting to this, Shiv Sena on Saturday said the "threatening statement" by Sudhir Mungantiwar is "unconstitutional" and "against democracy".

In an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, Shiv Sena went on to compare BJP's "threat" of President's rule in Maharashtra to one issued by the Mughals.

"It is like Mughal's diktat. The law and constitution are not anyone's slaves. We are not responsible for the current condition of Maharashtra politics and the people of Maharashtra know it. We know what is law and constitution," Shiv Sena said.

Shiv Sena also asked why there has been no progress in the process of government formation in Maharashtra, blaming the BJP for the delay.

"Why is government formation not happening in Maharashtra? The people who said that BJP leader will be the next CM of Maharashtra, why are they not claiming stake to form the government and will the people of Maharashtra be held responsible for this?," Shiv Sena said.

The Shiv Sena also lashed out at its ally BJP and said the "same people who could not get majority are threatening to impose President's rule in Maharashtra".

The attitude of people who thought that they are born to rule or even after not getting majority they will come back in government are losers today. And the same people are threatening to impose President's rule," Shiv Sena said.

Meanwhile, BJP's Sudhir Mungantiwar on Saturday said the people "will punish those who are creating a situation to impose President's rule in Maharashtra".

As the current term of Maharashtra government ends on November 8, there seems to be no end to deadlock over power-sharing between the BJP and Shiv Sena. The BJP and Sena are locked in a tug-of-war over the latter's demand for rotational chief ministership.

While the Shiv Sena said that the people of Maharashtra wants a Sena CM, the BJP maintained that the chief minister of Maharashtra will be from its party.

The BJP emerged as the single largest party by winning 105 seats while the Sena emerged victorious on 56 seats. The total strength of the Maharashtra assembly is 288.