Maharashtra: More talks needed, says NCP chief after meeting Sonia Gandhi

Pawar said while they had the opportunity to discuss the common minimum programme which might be agreed upon by three opposition parties-Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena-nothing materialised on government formation.

"We have to sort out some more issues, we have not discussed forming an alliance with any party yet," Sharad Pawar told reporters.

The NCP chief, however, rubbished speculations that his party might go for a tie-up with the BJP.

Meanwhile, the Presidential rule is in place in Maharashtra as no parties have been able to cobble up the majority figure close to a month after the poll results were declared.

The Sena broke its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after its demands of 50:50 power share in the government and rotational Chief Ministership were turned down by the BJP.

However, the NCP and Congress, which have won 54 and 44 seats respectively, are cautious in sealing a deal with the Sena which has won 56 seats. The BJP could not form a government on its own as it has won 105 seats, 40 less than the majority mark.

As per recent media reports, the Sena, NCP and Congress are discussing about the common minimum programme.

Pawar himself had said it will take time to form the government with the Sena. "The government will last for five years," the NCP chief had said.