As the stalemate between the BJP and the Shiv Sena over government formation continues in Maharashtra, a poster has been put up outside the residence of Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Sunday, endorsing his name for the chief ministerial post.

The hoarding, featuring photos of Uddhav, his father Bal Thackeray and son Aaditya Thackeray reads: “Maharashtra needs Uddhav Thackeray as CM”.

The poster came up even as Shiv Sena is locked in a power tussle with its ally BJP over 50:50 power-sharing formula and chief ministerial post. The two alliance partners have been at the loggerheads for over a fortnight since the results of Maharashtra Assembly elections were declared on October 24.

While the Shiv Sena has been insisting on equal distribution of cabinet berths in Maharashtra Assembly and sharing the CM post with the BJP for 2.5 years each, the BJP is adamant on its stand that Devendra Fadanvis will continue to be the chief minister for the entire term.

On Saturday, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari invited the BJP - the single largest party - to form the next government in the state, a day after Fadnavis resigned as the chief minister. The term of the Assembly ended Saturday midnight.

An official statement read, "The Governor today asked Devendra Fadnavis, the leader of the elected members of the single-largest party, the BJP, to indicate the willingness and ability of his party to form the government in Maharashtra."

In Maharashtra polls, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 105 seats while the Shiv Sena bagged 56 seats in the 288-member Assembly.

Earlier in the day, the Shiv Sena toughened its stand with party leader Sanjay Raut saying that if no one is willing to form the government in Maharashtra then his party can take that responsibility. He further said that the Congress was not the enemy of the state, hinting at joining hands with the party to form government in the state.

Lately, the Sena has also been reaching out to the Congress-NCP combine for an alternative political alignment as the BJP is not ready to compromise on the CM post.

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena also shifted its MLAs to Hotel Retreat in Madh in Malad West to prevent any possible poaching attempt by the BJP, which is 40 short of a clear majority mark of 145 to form the government.