Sharad Pawar takes dig at PM Modi, 'thanks' him for LS election results. Know why

Pawar, who lost the NCP symbol and name to the faction led by nephew Ajit Pawar following a rebel by the latter, who teamed up with the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Sena group, said: "We thank PM Narendra Modi for making the political atmosphere conducive for the MVA."

The jibe comes after the BJP's dismal showing in Maharashtra, where it managed only 9 seats as against 23  in 2019.

In fact, data suggests Modi and the BJP did not win 15 of 18 seats in which it campaigned widely like Mumbai North and North West, and Satara among others.

Meanwhile, Thackeray, whose Sena faction won nine seats while the breakaway group managed seven, seemed to shut the door to those looking to return after jumping ship.

He said those who stayed loyal after the split in 2022 will stay, amid rumours at least two MPs are ready to move.

"All those who supported me will stay. We will move forward with all those people who stayed and struggled with us..." he said, but then said, "If some people want to join us, we will see..."

He also rubbished talk about a reverse switch - that he could merge his Sena group with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's 'original' and return to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

Thackeray, Pawar, and the Congress' Prithviraj Chavan addressed a presser to thank voters for the poll results. "This press conference is to express gratitude to the people of Maharashtra. The people voted for the MVA and rejected attempts of religious polarisation," Chavan said.

"Recently, a meeting of the three parties was held to prepare for the Assembly election. The way we fought the Lok Sabha election, we will fight the Vidhan Sabha poll," he continued, "Our victory will be certain and there will be a change of power in the state."

Thackeray, meanwhile, underlined the fact the central government is no longer run solely by the BJP like the scenarios in 2014 and 2019, but is dependent on allies. "It was 'Modi government' but now it is 'NDA government'. How long will it last?"

He also said the Lok Sabha result in the state had exposed the "myth" of the BJP's electoral invincibility. "There was an atmosphere in the whole country... everyone thought no one could fight against the BJP. But people of Maharashtra showed this is hollow," he said.