“Whatever happens, the next chief minister of Maharashtra will be Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray,” said party spokesperson Sanjay Raut even as trends indicated that Sena would not come out on top in the state.

Raut’s comment might strike a nerve with its erstwhile ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party, after it emerged as the frontrunner in the polls and said that they had never viewed the Sena as a political opponent.

“In politics, we cannot disclose all the cards right now. We shall make our stand clear this evening,” Raut added.

In the 288-seat assembly, where 144 is the magic halfway number, the BJP+ was leading in 101 seats while the Shiv Sena was second with 46 seats.

However, the BJP made it clear it would not give up the CM’s post, saying, “People have given us the responsibility and the government will be led by us”.

“People have given us the responsibility and we will do whatever is needed to fulfil that responsibility. The government will be led by us,” said BJP’s Kirit Somaiya.