Further softening its stand after the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the Maharashtra assembly polls, the Shiv Sena today said that it is ready to support any leader chosen by its estranged ally as the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

"On the day of Laxmi Pooja, (Devendra) Fadnavis met (Nitin) Gadkari and took his blessings. Later Gadkari met the RSS chief and took his blessings. All these blessings are undoubtedly important, but the blessings of the people are the most important. Shiv Sena is ready to support anyone who will take Maharashtra ahead with the blessings of the people," Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

The party says that though Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has the experience to don the mantle in the state, the final decision will be taken by the high command in Delhi.