This means that in the event of mid-term polls, the BJP and Shiv Sena may face off again, like they did in the 2014 assembly elections. In that situation, we will not support any party and we are ready for mid-term polls,” Pawar said. “My sense is that the Shiv Sena lost some credibility by delaying this decision to pull out. In this election though, Thackeray has gained a lot of credibility among Shiv Sena cadres by his aggressive, Balasaheb Thackeray-like posturing. “If the Shiv Sena quits government and Sharad Pawar stays true to his word, there will be mid-term polls,” said the analyst.

Source: Mint February 19, 2017 17:20 UTC