Even while Shiv Sena insisted on its nominee for the Mumbai mayor's post, BJP member Nitin Gadkari said both sides had no alternative but to work out a power sharing arrangement, the relationship must reflect mutual respect.

A day after BJP finished just two seats behind shiv Sena, the frenemies circled each other warily as the result left both well short of numbers to stake claim to the mayor's post. But the dilemma is particularly acute for Sena which is under pressure to ensure that it heads the corporation.

While Gadkari suggested that the two sides needed to reach an understanding, he made it clear that the terms of the relationship must be clear and Sena's penchant for attacking PM Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah was unacceptable.