The BJP met with the Maharashtra Governor todaywhile its ally Shiv Sena moved its flock to a hotel in Mumbai, each accusingthe other of delay while hurtling towards the deadline for government formationin the state.

Rattled by reports that the BJP has claimed the support of182 MLAs, the Shiv Sena today took urgent measures to sequester its MLAs. Aneditorial in Saamana alleged that MLAs were being offered "bags ofcash".After a meeting called by Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at his home"Matoshree", the party moved all its MLAs - and some independents whosupporting it - to hotel Rangsharda in Bandra.

The MLAs have been put up for two days at the hotel that isa couple of km from Matoshree and not far from either the Shiv Sena'sheadquarters.As the Sena guarded its MLAs, a group of BJP leaders met withGovernor Bhagat Singh Koshyari."The Mahayuti (BJP-Sena alliance) has won aclear majority and based on that, a government should have been formed. Wediscussed with the Governor the implications and legal options in thecircumsances," said Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil, adding thatthe party leadership would decide on the road ahead.

The BJP has refused to concede the Sena's demand for atime-share on chief ministership in a "50:50 deal" Uddhav Thackeraysays was discussed with BJP president Amit Shah.

At today's meeting, Uddhav Thackeray reportedly asked MLAswhy he would "waste 15 days" if he wanted to accept anything lessthan the chief minister's post."The BJP met the governor but did not stakeclaim. Why didn't it go with a list of MLAs supporting it? It shows that BJP isunable to raise a majority on its own. Why don't they give up this lust forpower and tell us they cannot form government," Sena MP Sanjay Raut said

The BJP won 105 MLAs in the 288-member assembly and Sena,56. Together they are well past the majority mark of 145 but the Sena wantsequal partnership.The BJP has, however, repeatedly said Chief Minister DevendraFadnavis will continue for a second, full term. ""Devendra Fadnavisis the choice and he should lead the government. The BJP won 105 seats so theChief Minister should be from the BJP," said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari,who is seen either in the role of a trouble-shooter or a possible candidate forchief minister that is more acceptable to the Sena. The Sena is deeply upsetwith Mr Fadnavis for rejecting their claim to equal power-share and rotationalchief ministership.

The Sena also reacted sharply to the BJP's talk on"legal" implications of the standoff.The constitution is not BJP'spreserve. We will have a Sena CM within the constitution. The BJP says thechief minister will be theirs...I admire their confidence," Mr Rautsneered.Earlier, Mr Raut had denied any move to shift the Sena MLAs, saying:"No one can dare to come near Shiv Sena MLAs. Our MLAs are firm in theirresolve and committed to the party."

Sena MLA Sunil Prabhu said: "It is necessary for allthe MLAs to be together in the prevailing situation. Whatever decision Uddhavjitakes will be binding on all of us."

Maharashtra will go into President's Rule if no governmentis in place by tomorrow. The state assembly's term ends on Saturday.Mr Rautclaims the support of over 170 MLAs but has not specified how. The Sena'sperceived attempts to get the support of the rival Nationalist Congress Party(NCP)-Congress alliance didn't produce results with Congress President SoniaGandhi's refusal to consider any truck with the long-term BJP ally.