Maharashtra Govt-formation LIVE Updates: President's rule imposed

Amid an impasse over the formation of a government in Maharashtra for almost two weeks now, there is a probability of an unprecedented alliance between Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP. On Sunday, accusing the Sena of fracturing the Mahayuti pre-poll alliance, the BJP announced that it would not form the next government in the state.

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari earlier invited the Shiv Sena, which has 56 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, to stake claim to form a government by 7.30 pm on Monday.

The 'Maha'-confusion

Senior Congress leaders will meet with interim chief Sonia Gandhi to take the final call on Monday evening.  BJP in spite of stating its inability to form the next government, too, is set to hold a core group meeting headed by Devendra Fadnavis.  Amid a flurry of meetings in the national capital and in Mumbai, the NCP has said that it will decide on whether to support a Shiv Sena-led government in coordination with its ally the Congress.

The power tussle between the two saffron allies, BJP-Sena was led over the 50:50 formula and sharing the CM post for 2.5 years each. While the BJP has refused on both the conditions, the Sena has accused the BJP of turning back from an agreement that was made prior to the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP was willing to give Sena 13 cabinet portfolios and keeping 26 portfolios for itself.

READ| Shiv Sena's greed for power exposed; BJP will emerge stronger: Gambhir

In an early-morning Twitter announcement, Shiv Sena's Arvind Sawant resigned from the post of Union Minister after BJP's refusal to form a government in Maharashtra. 

He said, "Prior to the Lok Sabha elections, the allocation of space and power allocation had become a formula. Both of them were convinced. Now, denying this formula is a formidable threat to the Shiv Sena. BJP has taken a lot of strides in Maharashtra in the pursuit of falsehood. Shiv Sena's side is the truth. Why stay in Delhi government in such a false environment? And that is why I am resigning as the Union Minister. In this regard, this morning, it was 5.30. I will be holding a press conference in Delhi." 

READ| Congress bigwigs summon Maharashtra netas; open to supporting Sena

(With PTI inputs) 

Amid the stalemate over government formation in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray met NCP president Sharad Pawar on Monday. The Sena chief was accompanied by his son Aaditya Thackeray as he called on Pawar at an undisclosed location, they said.

Senior Congress leaders including former Maharashtra chief ministers--Sushil Kumar Shinde, Ashok Chavan. Prithvi Raj Chavan along with President of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee Balasaheb Thorat, Vijay Namdevrao Wadettiwar and Avinash Pande have landed in the national capital and are headed to Sonia Gandhi's residence.

READ| Uddhav requests Pawar to Extend Support: Top 10 Maha Developments

Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) chief HD Deve Gowda on Monday said that if the Congress party gives support to Shiv Sena then they should continue that for five years, only then people will trust them. 

"If Congress gives support to Shiv Sena, they should not disturb it for the next five years, only then people will trust the Congress party," Gowda told ANI when he was asked about the political situation in Maharashtra.

"Bal Thackeray gave place to the BJP in Maharashtra, LK Advani and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee went to Balasaheb's residence and requested him for seats in the state. Today the BJP overrode that and that is why Uddhav Thackeray has taken a stand that he will teach them a lesson. Now, it's for Congress and NCP to put the BJP down," he said.

(with ANI inputs) 
 

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray dials Congress chief  Sonia Gandhi over the ongoing situation in Maharashtra. As per Republic sources, Sonia Gandhi told Uddhav that she was in touch with the Congress MLAs.

Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray and Shiv Sena delegation including Eknath Shinde head to Raj Bhavan to meet the Governor. Police protection has been amped up in the area. Meanwhile, watching the ongoing developments closely, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has called for a high-level meeting at his residence.

According to sources, Congress would be extending its support to the Shiv Sena to form a government in Maharashtra. The official statement would be released at 6:30 PM on Monday.

Congress to support Sena 

The Congress party will provide support to the Shiv Sena and NCP from outside. Shiv Sena has reportedly received the support letter by the Congress party.  Earlier in the day, the NCP had reportedly drafted a support letter to Shiv Sena, but it won't reveal the letter unless the Congress party takes a decision.

Shiv Sena now has a support of 160 MLAs to form the government in Maharashtra, after saffron ally BJP refused to form a government over power tussle. Following BJP's refusal, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari had asked Shiv Sena about its ability to form government in the state.

READ| Congress to give outside support to Shiv Sena-NCP govt in Maharashtra

As per reports, Sonia Gandhi again called NCP patron Sharad Pawar as the deadline to form a government nears.

Aaditya Thackeray along with Shiv Sena leaders Anil Desai and Eknath Shinde reach Raj Bhavan to meet the Governor as Congress decides to back Shiv Sena from outside to form a government in Maharashtra. 

The meeting between Maharashtra Governor, Aaditya Thackeray and the Shiv Sena delegation.

In a surprising twist, now the Congress sources told Republic off-record that they are yet to decide on the support to Shiv Sena and NCP to form a government in Maharashtra. The development comes after Congress conducting a series of meetings chaired by Sonia Gandhi over the political scenario in the seat. 

Sonia Gandhi had previously called NCP patron Sharad Pawar to declare the party's support from outside to the Maharashtra government formation. 

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has asserted that his 2 MLAs in Maharashtra will not back the 'Shiv Sena-Congress government' amid political uncertainty in the state. 

Congress, NCP have sent letters of support to Shiv Sena, says Sena mouthpiece Saamana. 

Despite Sena's claim, in a statement, the Congress Working Committee after meeting on Monday morning has said that the party will hold "further discussions" with the NCP. Sonia Gandhi spoke to both, the NCP patron Sharad Pawar and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray earlier on Monday over the political scenario unfolding in the state.

Aaditya Thackeray holding a press brief said: 

"We have requested more time from the governor, which he has declined. Our claim has not been rejected. Both parties have been speaking to us. As the second-largest party, it was our right to come here. Want a stable govt in Maharashtra. We are willing to form the government, asked for an extension of 48 hrs to fulfill all procedures."

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the media after the conclusion of the meeting with chief Sonia Gandhi at 10, Janpath. He said, "We've already issued a press note and we've mentioned that we've already discussed with working committee members and our PCC leaders. Our AICC President has spoken to Sharad Pawar ji. Further discussion will take place in Mumbai tomorrow (Tuesday)."

Statement from the Governor of Maharashtra:

Delegation of Shiv Sena met Governor and expressed willingness to form govt. However, they couldn't submit requisite letter of support. They submitted a letter requesting a 3-day extension for submitting letters of support. Governor expressed the inability to give a further extension.

The Governor of Maharashtra has now invited the NCP to form the government. The development comes an hour after Shiv Sena's Aaditya Thackeray met with the Governor. 

NCP's Ajit Pawar holds press brief-

He said, At 8:30 pm the Governor called us and asked me to come to meet him. Along with Chhagan Bhujbal, Jayant Patil and others, I am going to meet him. We have no idea as to why did he call us. Governor is an important person so we are going to meet him."

After Shiv Sena, NCP delegation reaches Raj Bhavan to meet with the Governor.

Maharashtra Governor sets a deadline for the third-largest party, NCP, to form the government until Tuesday at 8:30 PM. 

NCP on Tuesday morning has sought an extension after the governor on Monday, invited NCP to show a willingness to form the government by 8:30 PM on Tuesday.

All parties huddle

NCP has called a meeting of all its MLAs in Mumbai. Similarly, BJP has called for a core committee meeting, while Shiv Sena has called for all MLAs meeting in Mumbai. Sources report that the Congress High Command will discuss the future course and inform Pawar about Congress' decision over the phone. But the Congress core committee meeting in Delhi has been postponed.  Furthermore, state Congress leaders are set to meet NCP leaders at 4 PM, according to sources.

NCP blames Congress for delay

Putting the onus on Congress to discuss the future course, NCP leader Ajit Pawar, on Tuesday claimed that Congress' delay was responsible for NCP unable to support Shiv Sena, talking to reporters in Mumbai. He added that any decision will be taken together by NCP-Congress jointly. Claiming NCP's helplessness due to Congress leaders' unavailability, he stated that the NCP Supremo had stated that he could not meet High Command in Delhi as NCP had called a meeting of all its MLAs.

He added, "If the meeting is held in Delhi today, it is not possible for Sharad Pawar Saheb to go as we have called all our MLAs' meeting here. This has been conveyed to them in Delhi by Pawar Saheb, but if someone comes here today, we are ready to meet and discuss. We have got the mandate to sit in Opposition. Due to the fallout of BJP-Shiv Sena, even if NCP decides alone about what role Shiv Sena will play, the government cannot be formed."

NCP chief Sharad Pawar along with his grand nephew Rohit Pawar met with Sena MP Sanjay Raut who has been hospitalized on Monday after complaining of chest pains. Shiv Sena Supremo Uddhav Thackeray too has left Matoshree to meet Raut at Lilavati Hospital. 

Sources have reported that Shiv Sena on Tuesday, is likely to approach the Supreme Court if President's rule is implemented in Maharashtra. Sources report that this move is being considered after the governor refused a time extension to the Shiv Sena to stake claim with NCP-Congress support.

Meanwhile, NCP is currently awaiting the arrival of senior Congress leaders in Mumbai to discuss further action. Sources also report the NCP may be willing to give Sena the CM post if Congress supports govt. Meanwhile, sources report that Congress has given its letter of support, claiming that the delay was from Sharad Pawar's side.

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has sent a report to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recommending President Rule in the state, said sources. As per sources, the governor is of opinion that no party - be it BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress or NCP can give a stable government in the state. Using his prerogative, the governor has sent the report to the President, via MHA.

In a major twist to the Maharashtra politics, Shiv Sena on Tuesday has approached senior Congress leader and advocate Kapil Sibal to represent the party in the 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 the issue.

President's rule in Maharashtra

After the Governor's recommendation of imposing a Presidential rule in Maharashtra on Tuesday, PM Modi-led Cabinet meeting too gave a nod to the proposal. 

Meanwhile, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has sent a report to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recommending President Rule in the state, said sources. As per sources, the governor is of opinion that no party - be it BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress or NCP can give a stable government in the state. Using his prerogative, the governor has sent the report to the President, via MHA. 

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

Shiv Sena filed an official petition to the Supreme Court stating that the Maharashtra government did not give them the appropriate time to allow them to form a government. In the letter, they compared to the time that was allotted to the BJP by the Governor to stake a claim. 

Three days' time was given to the BJP to form the government, which they refused on Sunday. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena, the second-largest party was not even given one day to do the same. 

READ| HIGH DRAMA: Shiv Sena Moves SC After Cabinet Nod To President's Rule

Congress senior leader Kapil Sibal will argue for Shiv Sena, as the saffron party has moved the Supreme Court challenging the imposition of President's rule in the state, recommended by the Governor. 

Sources report that Ministry of Home Affiars (MHA) will hold a press briefing at 5:30 PM on the Governor's recommendation to impose President's rule in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, sources also report that Supreme Court is unlikely to hear Shiv Sena's petition challenging the governor's recommendation.

The Shiv Sena on Tuesday moved the SC challenging the Maharashtra governor's decision of not granting it the three days to submit the letter of support for government formation in the state. In the petition, they mentioned that the Governor did not allocate them enough time to stake a claim to form the Maharashtra government

After the Governor's recommendation and a nod from the Union Cabinet, President's rule has been imposed in Maharashtra. 

After 20 days of power instability, President Ram Nath Kovind, on Tuesday, has accepted the Maharashtra Governor's recommendation and implemented President's rule in the state. The move came after Governor BS Koshyari told Centre that none of the parties--BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP could claim a majority to form the government. 
 

Highlights of the joint press brief held by senior NCP and Congress leaders: 

• Yesterday, Sonia Gandhi was called for the first time asking for support. Some points still need clarity and then only we can come to any conclusion: Ahmed Patel, Congress.

• BJP, Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party got an invitation from the Governor to prove the majority. But Congress did not get an invitation. We condemn it: Ahmed Patel, Congress
• We are in no hurry. We will hold discussions with Congress and then take a decision (to support Shiv Sena): Sharad Pawar, NCP

Highlights of the press brief held by Shiv Sena's Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray:

• We can still for the government, in talks with NCP and Congress: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.
• BJP-Shiv Sena were together for many years but now Shiv Sena has to go with Congress-NCP. We'll hold further talks with both of them.
• Why are you in such a hurry? It's politics. 6 months' time has been given (President's Rule). I didn't finish the BJP option, it was BJP itself which did that..."