Just a day ahead of the crucial trust vote in Maharashtra, uncertainty continues as the two estranged allies are yet to reach a respectable power sharing solution.

There are indications that back channel talks are still on and a solution might be announced just before the election of assembly speaker tomorrow morning.
Earlier today, Mr. Fadnavis appealed all political parties to facilitate unanimous election of the Assembly Speaker. Currently, it is a three way contest between BJP's Haribhau Bagde; Varsha Gaikwad of Congress and Vijay Auti of Shiv Sena. Earlier,the Shiv Sena today fielded Vijay Auti as its candidate for the assembly Speaker’s post.

In a bid to persuade the Congress to support BJP's nominee; the Chief Minister today 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 did not want the election to go uncontested, Mr. Thakre informed reporters after the meeting that the issue would 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.
Meanwhile, the BJP today said that like minded party should come together for the development of Maharashtra. In reply to a question over the deadlock with Shiv Sena, Rajiv Pratap Rudy who took the charge as Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs said that his party always tried to work with Shiv Sena.

Amidst all the politicking, the Shiv Sena has issued a whip to all its MLAs to be present for tomorrow’s assembly session. NCP Chief Sharad Pawar met all his MLAs and issued a whip for them to be present for tomorrow’s session. As to whom the NCP will support, Mr. Pawar has said that the decision will be taken after due deliberation and announced tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow’s session assumes much importance as the speaker’s election will be followed by trust vote being sought by Devendra Fadnavis led BJP government. If none of the candidates withdraw by 10 AM tomorrow, voting will take place through secret ballot at 11 AM. Maharashtra’s Principal Secretary (legislature) Anant Kalse has informed that it is the first time the house is witnessing a three-way contest for the post.