NCP offer, bargaining chip for BJP?

Reports say BJP is not averse to taking back its old ally Shiv Sena in its government in Maharashtra and a consensus appears to have been reached on the issue. While BJP has remained tight-lipped on its strategy for Maharashtra, where the Sharad Pawar-led NCP is more than keen to offer support to BJP, sources on Monday (October 20) say the BJP is trying to reduce the bargaining power of the Shiv Sena by keeping the NCP option open. BJP has also made it clear that they will be dictating terms at the negotiating table.