Devendra Fadnavis led BJP government in Maharashtra will seek a vote of confidence in the State Assembly today. But before that, the election of Assembly Speaker will be held. BJP, Shiv Sena and Congress have fielded their candidates for the Speaker's post.

If none of the candidates withdraw by 10 AM, voting will take place through secret ballot at 11 AM. This is for the first time the house is witnessing a three-way contest for the post of Speaker. Uncertainty continues as the two estranged allies BJP and Shiv Sena are yet to reach a power sharing agreement.There are indications that back channel talks are still on and a solution might be announced just before the election of assembly speaker this morning.

Earlier yesterday, Mr. Fadnavis appealed all political parties to facilitate unanimous election of the Assembly Speaker.In a bid to persuade the Congress to support BJP's nominee; the Chief Minister yesterday met senior Congress leaders including the party's leader in the Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Prithviraj Chavan and state Congress chief Manikrao Thakre. While maintaining that Congress does not want the election to go uncontested, Mr. Thakre informed reporters after the meeting that the issue will be discussed afresh. It is likely that the Congress might support the BJP if all other parties support its candidate for Deputy Speaker's post.

Amidst all the politicking, the Shiv Sena has issued a whip to all its MLAs to be present for today assembly session. NCP Chief Sharad Pawar met all his MLAs and issued a whip for them to be present for today's session. As to whom the NCP will support, Mr. Pawar said the decision will be taken after due deliberation and it will be announced this morning.