Union cabinet gives approval for President's rule in Maharashtra

Update at 2:50 PM

Sources report that NCP had sought 2 days to stake claim to form government in state, from goverr. Goverr Bhagat Singh Koshyari had reportedly n recommended president's rule in state after declining NCP's request.

After Maharashtra goverr recommended president's rule in Maharashtra on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led cabinet meeting has approved a president's rule in state, according to sources. Prime Minister Modi's departure to Brazil to attend 11th BRICS summit on vember 13 and 14 too had been delayed, according to sources. PM Modi was scheduled was to leave at 2.00 PM. At 2:40 PM, PM Modi has w left for Brazil after chairing cabinet meeting

READ | Sena asks Cong's Sibal to represent in SC as Guv recommends Prez rule

Guv recommends President's rule

Meanwhile, Goverr Bhagat Singh Koshyari has sent a report to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recommending President Rule in state, said sources. As per sources, goverr is of opinion that party - be it BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress or NCP can give a stable government in state. Using his prerogative, goverr has sent report to President, via MHA. 

Shiv Sena to challenge prez rule

Challenging goverr's recommendation for a president's rule, Shiv Sena has approached senior Congress leader and advocate Kapil Sibal to represent party in Supreme Court to challenge a President's rule (if applied) in Maharashtra. Sources report that Sena Supremo Uddhav Thackeray has talked to Kapil Sibal and Ahmed Patel over issue. Shiv Sena had failed to cobble a coalition with NCP-Congress on Monday.

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

NCP awaits Congress decision

While NCP and Shiv Sena have held a meeting with all ir MLAs separately, Ajit Pawar has blamed Congress from Monday's delay in support to Sena. NCP is currently awaiting arrival of senior Congress leaders in Mumbai to discuss furr action. This development comes after goverr on Monday, invited NCP to show a willingness to form government by 8:30 PM on Tuesday. Shiv Sena had failed to cobble up a coalition with NCP-Congress' support and was denied an extension from Goverr.

READ | NCP blames Congress for delay; says NCP-Sena govt sans Cong support

Recent political shifts

As Maharashtra entered its 18th day of having government on Monday, hectic parleys were held between Congress interim-chief Sonia Gandhi, NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena Supremo Uddhav Thackeray. Senior Congress leaders were flown from Jaipur to Delhi to take a final call on Congress-NCP extending support to Shiv Sena. While Uddhav Thackeray met Pawar and called up Sonia Gandhi multiple times, Congress did t reach a decision by 7:30 PM which was deadline for Shiv Sena to stake claim. Meanwhile, BJP held a core committee meeting at Fadnavis' residence to prevent defections and to decide future course. Sena's sole Union Minister Arvind Sawant too resigned from Modi cabinet in protest. Blaming Sena for fracturing Mahayuti alliance, BJP anunced that it would t form next government in state on Sunday, after meeting goverr.

READ | Senior Congress leaders to t meet with Pawar; NCP mulls govt forming

Current Maha Assembly numbers

saffron alliance swept Maharashtra on October 24, winning a combined tally of 161 (BJP- 105, Sena -56), but is yet to put its majority to use. Meanwhile, 'Maha- Agadhi' alliance (NCP-54, Congress-44) bagged 98 seats in total. halfway mark is 145.