MUMBAI: There is consensus in the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance that Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray should lead the new government in Maharashtra, NCP president Sharad Pawar said here on Friday.

Pawar's announcement capped a day of hectic meetings between the Congress, NCP and their pre-poll allies and a combined meeting of the three parties later in the day.

Emerging from the marathon meeting of top leaders of the Congress, the NCP and the Sena, who are making efforts to form government in Maharashtra, Pawar said there was a consensus on Thackeray's leadership.

Discussions on other issues are in progress, Pawar said after the meeting, held at the Nehru Centre in Worli.

"The issue of leadership is not pending. There is consensus on Uddhav Thackeray leading the new government," Pawar said.

Asked if Uddhav Thackeray will be the new Chief Minister, Pawar shot back, "don't you understand Hindi? The new government will be led by Uddhav Thackeray."

It is learnt that the official announcement regarding the new development will be made on Saturday.