Maharashtra: Voter seeks HC direction to BJP, Sena to form government

A woman voter from Maharashtra on Monday moved Bombay High Court seeking a direction to BJP and Shiv Sena to stand by ir pre-poll alliance and form government in state as y got "public mandate". Priya Chauhan (46), a resident of neighbouring Thane district, in her petition also sought a direction to Centre and state to refrain from appointing anyone as chief minister from post-election alliances of Sena- Congress-NCP, and BJP-Ajit Pawar.  plea, filed through advocate Nitin Satpute, claims petitioner is aggrieved by BJP and Shiv Sena's "betrayal".

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plea has also sought an FIR to be lodged against BJP and Shiv Sena for failing to form government, saying it amounts to breach of trust of voters and cheating. "Both BJP and Shiv Sena have betrayed trust of voters. y have t complied with ir promises and post elections changed ir alliances," plea said.  petition, which will come up for hearing in due course, claimed BJP, facing prospect of a n-BJP alliance staking claim to power in Maharashtra, resorted to political machinations.

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petition also raised questions over manner in which goverr sought revocation of President's rule in Maharashtra and allowed swearing-in of Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister. " goverr has acted in a partisan manner and made a mockery of high office of goverr," it said. " goverr's actions on intervening night of vember 22 and vember 23, culminating into swearing-in (of Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister) are a textbook example of goverr acting at behest of a political party in power at Centre," plea alleged. goverr has allowed himself to be a "pawn in BJP's illegal usurpation of power", it added.

Maharashtra LIVE Updates: Hearing concludes, Supreme Court to prounce order tomorrow

Fadnavis becomes CM, Ajit Pawar Deputy CM

In a massive turn of events, BJP's Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday morning was sworn-in as Chief Minister of Maharashtra and NCP's Ajit Pawar was sworn-in as Deputy CM. While Ajit Pawar claimed that he has support of few or NCP MLAs, all of m believed to be with him was present at party meet with Sharad Pawar on Sunday evening. Distancing itself from Ajit Pawar's decision Sharad Pawar removed him from as leader of NCP Legislative Party and appointed Jayant Patil at his place. This development came after almost a month-long drama in which all parties were given a chance by Goverr to form government in Maharashtra, failing which President Rule was imposed. election result in state gave a clear mandate to Mahayuti, which had a fallout over CM post. BJP won 105 seats and Sena 56 seats. NCP bagged 54 seats and Congress won 44 seats. 

Ajit Pawar mulls legal options over his ouster as NCP's legislative chief: Sources

SC reserves verdict

Supreme Court on Monday reserved its verdict after hearing arguments of both sides on petition of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress against swearing-in of Devendra Fadnavis. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta submitted two letters, that contained names of 54 NCP MLAs and ir signatures, which he said was given by Ajit Pawar to Goverr of Maharashtra. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for petitioners questioned on need of revocation of President's Rule at 5.47 in morning and installing a Government at 8 am.  matter was heard by a Bench of Justices NV Ramana, Ashok Bhushan, and Sanjiv Khanna.

(With PTI inputs)