With the Governor pushing the coalition partners hard, the Congress and NCP today promised to form a government in Maharashtra "in a day or two", nearly a fortnight after the results gave them a majority in the elections.

Governor S C Jamir, who had yesterday called Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Deputy Chief Minister Chagan Bhujbal for consultations, today said he has told the two leaders that it was their responsibility to form a government without delay.

He told a delegation of Shiv Sena-BJP leaders that he is "very anxious to have an elected government installed as early as possible."

"The Governor told the delegation that he had reminded caretaker Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and NCP leaders Chhagan Bhujbal and R R Patil yesterday that since the electorate of Maharashtra had given them a fresh mandate, it was their responsibility to respect the mandate and form a government without any further delay," a Raj Bhawan spokesperson said.

The Chief Minister denied that the Governor had pulled up the ruling coalition over the delay in government formation.

"I think we will be able to resolve some issues between the two parties. There isn't much of a difference but certain smaller issues will have to be resolved. I think by today evening or tomorrow we should be able to sort out the issues," he told reporters.

Echoing similar views, Union Civil Aviation Minister and NCP leader Praful Patel said in Bangalore he was hopeful that the two parties would resolve their differences over sharing ministerial berths in Maharashtra 'in a day or two' after settling all issues, including portfolios, "amicably".

"We are hoping for a win-win situation for both," he said.