Amid Maharashtra govt formation, 7 NCP MLAs pledge loyalty to Sharad Pawar

Even as the number game in Maharashtra remains uncertain, 7 NCP MLAs believed to be with the new deputy CM Ajit Pawar, have now sided with Sharad Pawar, as per news agency PTI. Reports came in as the NCP's legislative committee met at Y B Chavan Centre in Mumbai. Dhananjay Munde, a senior NCP leader who was believed to be among the defectors along with Ajit Pawar, made an entry to the NCP headquarters. The dates of the floor test remains uncertain, but Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has given time to the CM Devendra Fadnavis till November 30 to prove the majority. 

READ: Maharashtra: Ramdas Athawale backs Ajit Pawar, punctures 'ED investigation' theory

Fadnavis takes oath as CM, Ajit Pawar as Deputy CM

In a massive turn of events on Saturday morning, Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra in the presence of Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhawan around 8 AM. What came as a bigger surprise was that NCP leader Ajit Pawar was sworn in as his Deputy CM. While BJP is claiming that Ajit Pawar has the support of all 54 NCP MLAs, NCP sources have reported that Ajit Pawar at least has 30 MLAs support. Meanwhile, sources have reported that 22 Shiv Sena MLAs will break away to support the BJP-led government. The governor has given BJP a deadline of November 30 to prove their majority.

READ: Maharashtra govt LIVE updates: Sharad Pawar calls Ajit's decision 'against party line'

Pawar invokes anti-defection

Soon after the development, distancing himself and his party from the Ajit Pawar's decision, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar stated that there is an anti-defection law in place. However, he has not yet taken any decision on the Ajit Pawar. He has claimed that BJP does not have the numbers and that the Sena-NCP-Congress alliance will do whatever is necessary. 

READ: Maharashtra: Ramdas Athawale backs Ajit Pawar, punctures 'ED investigation' theory

Assembly elections result

The Mahayuti alliance swept Maharashtra on October 24, winning a combined tally of 161 (BJP- 105, Sena -56). Meanwhile, the Maha Agadhi alliance (NCP-Congress) won  98 seats (NCP- 54, Congress- 44 ). The halfway mark in 144 in the 288 seat-Assembly. The tussle began between the Mahayuti alliance partners when  Shiv Sena demanded that CM's post must be shared by both the parties on the basis of 50:50 formula. BJP not only denied that any such formula in place, but they also claimed that Sena betrayed people's mandate. Soon after that Sena, NCP and Congress began talks to form an alliance government amid President's rule in the state. Almost when the Sena declared that Uddhav Thackeray will be next CM, massive turn of events took place and Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar took oath as CM and deputy CM respectively. 

READ: Sharad Pawar says 'Ajit Pawar's decision not NCP', as BJP-led Maha govt forms