Sena thwarted & President's rule imposed, Raj Thackeray finally speaks

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) supremo Raj Thackeray broke his silence on the ongoing political developments in Maharashtra on Tuesday. He stated that the imposition of President’s Rule in the state was a “great insult” to the voters of the state. This comes minutes after the President officially approved the proclamation of President’s Rule after receiving a report from Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. The latter was “satisfied that the Government of the State of Maharashtra cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution”.   

Read: Shiv Sena May Approach SC If President's Rule Kicks In Maharashtra

Read: NCP Blames Congress For Delay; Says No NCP-Sena Govt Sans Cong Support

President's Rule

President’s rule entails that the Governor of the state will temporarily function as the chief executive of the state, representing the President of India. This power emanates from Article 356 of the Constitution, which empowers the President to withdraw the executive and legislative powers of any state “if he is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of the state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution”. President’s Rule has been imposed in multiple states on more than 100 occasions.   

Read: Nitish Kumar Breaks Silence On BJP-Shiv Sena Fallout's Impact On JD(U)

Maharashtra power tussle

Despite the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance securing a comfortable majority in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, they could not form the government owing to a dispute over the Chief Minister’s post. After caretaker Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray traded barbs on November 8, BJP refused to accept the invite to form the government. While the Sena expressed its willingness for government formation, it requested 48 hours to garner the letters of support from the MLAs. This request was rejected by the Governor after which he invited NCP, the third-largest party. On Tuesday, the Shiv Sena challenged this order of Governor Koshyari by filing a writ petition in the Supreme Court.  

Read: Shiv Sena Unyielding On 50:50 After BJP's 13-26 Cabinet Offer: Sources