Maharashtra Governor invites Shiv Sena to form govt after BJP declines

Amid fast-paced political developments in Maharashtra, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari invited the Shiv Sena (SS) to form the government in the state, giving it time till 7.30 pm on Monday. This comes after a BJP delegation led by caretaker Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called on the Governor and informed him about the party’s decision to not form the government. Shiv Sena is the second-largest party securing 56 seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. 

Read: Maharashtra: Here Are Shiv Sena's Options As BJP Dares It To Form Govt

Here is the press release from the Raj Bhavan, Mumbai:  

"Governor asks Shiv Sena to indicate willingness and ability to form Government 

 The Governor of Maharashtra Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari today asked the leader of elected members of the second-largest party, the Shiv Sena, Shri Eknath Shinde to indicate the willingness and ability of his party to form the government in Maharashtra.  

Elections to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly were held on 21st October and the results were declared on 24th October. However, despite the passage of 15 days, no single party or alliance of parties has come forward to form the government. 

Yesterday, Shri Devendra Fadnavis was called upon to express his willingness and ability to form government. However, today, he has shown unwillingness.  

The Governor has, therefore, asked the leader of elected members of the second-largest party, Shiv Sena, Shri Eknath Shinde, to convey its willingness and ability to form the government to him."

Read: Ashok Chavan: 'Situation In Maharashtra Will Be Clearer In Two Days'

Maharashtra power tussle 

The Maharashtra assembly election was conducted on October 21. The results declared on October 24 threw up a surprise with the BJP-SS alliance not faring as well as expected. The tally of the BJP came down to 105, from 122 seats which they had won in the 2014 election. Shiv Sena too won from only 56 constituencies. On the other hand, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Cong gained 54 and 44 seats respectively. Though the BJP-SS alliance has a comfortable majority, a tussle has been going on over the CM’s post. On Friday, both Fadnavis and SS supremo Uddhav Thackeray lashed out at each other, indicating a bleak future for the alliance. SS MP Sanjay Raut has also been repeatedly asserting that the next CM would be from his party. Speculation is rife that the NCP and Congress could back SS to form the government.  

Read: Milind Deora Pitches For NCP-Congress Maha Govt, Shiv Sena Backs It

Read: Couldn't Form Govt Despite Mandate: Fadnavis Hurt As Sena-BJP Implode