New Delhi/Mumbai:  On Sunday evening, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray reportedly made a phone call to BJP chief Amit Shah. Prime Minister Modi was present and also participated, sources at Matoshree – the Thackeray residence in Mumbai – claimed.

The sources said in the 10-12 minute conversation, Mr Thackeray asked for the past to be forgotten and suggested that the two parties move forward. The PM courteously agreed.

The Shiv Sena says with that call it has reached out to the Bharatiya Janta Party and now the latter must respond. For good measure, the Sena chief reportedly also called Maharashtra BJP chief Devendra Fadnavis – seen as a front runner for chief minister – and senior leader Om Mathur.

This morning’s Saamna, the Sena newspaper, reminded the BJP that “no one party has got a clear mandate” in the Maharashtra elections.

In the Maharashtra Assembly results announced yesterday, the BJP posted its best performance to date winning 123 seats, but is 22 short of a majority and will need an ally to form government.