HIGH DRAMA: Shiv Sena moves SC after Cabinet nod to President's rule

In yet another breaking development in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena has moved to the Supreme Court soon after reports came in that Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has recommended President rule in the state and sources confirmed that Union Cabinet has approved the recommendation and is waiting for President's approval. As per sources, Shiv Sena has also listed the matter for urgent hearing before the apex court. Sena has made Centre, Congress and NCP as well as Maharashtra government respondent in its petition in SC. It is seeking urgent hearing on the petition.

This comes after sources said that the governor is of opinion that no party - be it BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress or NCP can give a stable government in the state. Sources also informed that Sena has approached senior Congress leader and advocate Kapil Sibal to represent the party in the Supreme Court.

READ: Union cabinet gives approval for President's rule in Maharashtra

Earlier in the day, NCP has agreed to give the Chief Minister's post to Shiv Sena, but is waiting for Congress's decision on the same, sources said. Minutes after NCP put the onus on Congress to discuss the future course of government formation in Maharashtra, Congress has now said that the delay is from NCP's chief Sharad Pawar, as per sources. Meanwhile, Congres leaders Malikarjun Kharge, Ahmed Patel and KC Venugopal will meet NCP chief Pawar on Tuesday, to take the final call. 

READ: Sonia relents, sends top aides to meet Pawar amid NCP-Cong blamegame

Maharashtra's political crisis

In a minute-by-minute changing dynamics of Maharashtra politics, Governor of Maharashtra on Monday night invited the third-largest party - NCP to form the government after BJP and Shiv Sena failed to provide the majority number. Congress leader KC Venugopal on Monday evening said that Congress is still discussing the formation of a government with the NCP and has to extended Outer support to the Shiv Sena. This official declaration came even as Shiv Sena reached its deadline of 7.30 PM to form the government in Maharashtra. The NCP, on the other hand, placed the onus of decision-making on Congress, saying they will take the decision only after Congress decides. After BJP on Sunday announced that it wouldn't form government, Governor had invited the second largest party - Shiv Sena to form the government. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant also resigned from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet. 

READ: BIG: Maharashtra Guv sends report to MHA, recommends President's rule

Maharashtra assembly elections 

The stalemate in the state is a result of the fallout of the Mahayuti alliance partners- BJP and Shiv Sena over the post of Chief Minister in the state. While both blamed each other of betraying people's mandate, BJP made it clear to the governor that it would not form government as Sena does not wish to negotiate. In the assembly polls, the Mahayuti alliance partners won a total of 161 seats - BJP won 105 seats and Shiv Sena won 56 seats. The Mahagadhi made a comeback bagging 98 seats - (NCP 54 seats and Congress 44 seats.)

READ: NCP blames Congress for delay; says no NCP-Sena govt sans Cong support