Mumbai, Nov 12 (IANS): After the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress complete their discussions on government formation in Maharashtra, they would approach the Shiv Sena for talks, top leaders of both parties said here on Tuesday.

Addressing the media jointly with NCP President Sharad Pawar, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel said that Sena President Uddhav Thackeray formally contacted Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi first time on Monday.

"There were many issues that need to be discussed. Both parties have unanimously decided that first we will discuss amongst us (Congress-NCP), then we will talk with Shiv Sena on a common minimum programe and others aspects before anything is finalised," he said.

Patel also said that the manner in which President's Rule has been imposed by the government is a mockery of democracy.

"First the BJP was invited, then the Shiv Sena and later the NCP, but the Congress was not even invited by Governor to explore government formation. This is wrong," he said.

Pawar said that the President's Rule has come as a relief to both the parties for carrying out discussions.

Sources in both parties unofficially claim that the state would get some "good news" very soon after the discussions and formulas among the various parties bidding for power are finalised.