Mumbai, November 11: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday announced that his party won't support the Shiv Sena-Congress government in Maharashtra. The AIMIM has two MLAs in the Maharashtra assembly. Asaduddin Owaisi's statement comes amid talks between the Congress and the Shiv Sena over government formation in the state. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is also likely to support the Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena Dumps BJP to Stake Claim to Form Government in Maharashtra; Congress Remains Non Committal on Support.

"AIMIM has 2 MLAs in Maharashtra & we will not be supporting the Shiv Sena-Congress government. A letter to the same effect will be sent to the Governor of Maharashtra briefly (sic)," Owaisi tweeted. The AIMIM chief further took a jibe at his critics who often accused him of dividing secular votes. In another tweet, Owaisi said that the title of "vote katwa" should be given to the Congress party. The Congress is yet to decide on extending support to the Shiv Sena for government formation. HD Deve Gowda Takes Jibe at Congress, Says 'Extend Support to Shiv Sena Only If You Won't Disturb Government Next 5 Years'.

Asaduddin Owaisi's Tweet:

"I guess the CROWN of VOTE KATWA cannot sit on my humble head. It rightly belongs to the Indian National Congress. Those who were blaming me, my party & our voters for the defeat of “secular” parties must be feeling quite content now," Owaisi tweeted. Meanwhile, a group of Shiv Sena leaders met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and expressed willingness to form the government in Maharashtra. The Governor's Office later said that the Shiv Sena couldn't submit a letter of support.

While the NCP is ready to support the Shiv Sena, the Congress party remained non-committal on the issue. Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi held a crucial meeting with leaders from Congress to discuss the matter. "The Congress President has spoken to Shri Sharad Pawar Ji. The party will have further discussion with NCP," Congress said in a statement. Earlier, Pawar met Sena President Uddhav Thackeray to finalise the understanding, and later Thackeray spoke with Sonia Gandhi.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 11, 2019 07:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).