The prospects of Shiv Sena joining the first-ever BJP government in Maharashtra brightened today with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis saying that the talks on power sharing being almost complete and Sena also hinting at the "positive conclusion" of deliberations. A senior Sena leader said the final outcome can be expected either by tonight, when Sena emissaries are meeting Fadnavis at his official residence 'Varsha' here, or tomorrow.

"The talks have almost reached a positive conclusion barring one ministry, which the BJP is not ready to give us," the leader said on condition of anonymity without specifying the ministry in question. "A final outcome will be reached at very soon," the leader said. The hint that the deal is almost sealed between rulingBJP and Sena came from the chief minister earlier in the day. "Talks with Shiv Sena are going on.