Will there be a Karnataka pattern or President's rule in Maharashtra? The possibility looks far-fetched at this point because the 'len-den' (give and take) between the two saffron partners aren't dead yet, but dragging, just like the talks that take place between families of a boy and girl to be wedded in an arranged marriage. In such talks, neither side is willing to step back even an inch. The Sena knows this is the time it can extract as much as possible from the richie-rich BJP family, which is reported to have promised the prospective partner a basketful of dowry to forge the union.

And, when such matrimonial talks derail, usually because of accusations that the respective parents and their eligible wards are adamant, unreasonable and impractical in negotiating the deal, mediators keep the talks alive by passing on messages between the families.