Maharashtra LIVE Updates: Uddhav Thackeray to be sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister

Ahead of Uddhav Thackeray's swearing-in ceremony, sources have reported on Thursday, that NCP has chosen Jayant Patil as the Deputy CM after Ajit Pawar allegedly turned it down. Patil who is currently the party's legislative leader will take oath with Thackeray later in the day. The alliance has decided that while NCP will get the Deputy CM post, Congress will get the Speaker post, as stated by NCP leader Praful Patel. Six other Ministers are set to take the oath, as per sources.

Congress-NCP rift

Sources also report that Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is unhappy with the cabinet split. Moreover, sources report rift between Congress-NCP over the President of Vidhan Sabha. While Congress has reportedly chosen Prithviraj Chavan NCP has claimed that Ashok Chavan has been picked. Moreover, Gandhi will not be attending the oath ceremony and neither is Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Chandrababu Naidu nor PM Modi who have been invited. Congress CMs Kamal Nath and Bhupesh Baghel will be attending the ceremony.

Following the backlash on the hasty formation of the BJP-NCP coalition government, the Supreme Court will pronounce its verdict on the government formation and when the floor test has to be conducted on Tuesday at 10:30 AM. On Monday, after hearing from both sides, the Supreme Court had reserved its verdict. The Solicitor General of India - Tushar Mehta submitted two letters, that contained names of 54 NCP MLAs and their signatures, which he said was given by Ajit Pawar to the Governor of Maharashtra.

The Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance pushed for a floor test to be conducted immediately. But the BJP has asked for 7 days, stating that would be a more "reasonable time", which will allow the CM to respond to the petition as well conduct a floor test. The matter was heard by a Bench of Justices NV Ramana, Ashok Bhushan, and Sanjiv Khanna.

'We are 162'

Later on Monday in a massive announcement, 162 MLAs of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP took an oath of allegiance at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, stating that they 'will not succumb to BJP' and will remain with the Maha Vikas Aghadi. With banners proclaiming 'We are 162',  Raut had earlier invited the Governor to come and ascertain the number for himself. BJP has slammed the Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena for insulting all the MLAs and the voters of the state by making them take an oath in a private gathering. The Governor, on the other hand, is mulling his legal options ahead of the Supreme Court's verdicts.

Fadnavis becomes CM, Ajit Pawar Deputy CM

In a massive turn of events, BJP's Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday morning was sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and NCP's Ajit Pawar was sworn-in as Deputy CM. While Ajit Pawar claimed that he has the support of a few other NCP MLAs, all of them have sworn allegiance to NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar. Distancing his party from Ajit Pawar's decision, Sharad Pawar removed him from as leader of the NCP Legislative Party and appointed Jayant Patil at his place. 

This development came after almost a month-long drama in which all the parties were given a chance by the Governor to form the government in Maharashtra, failing which President Rule was imposed. The election result in the state gave a clear mandate to the Mahayuti, which had a fallout over the CM post. BJP won 105 seats and Sena 56 seats. The NCP bagged 54 seats, and the Congress won 44 seats. 

CM Devendra Fadnavis and Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari pay tributes to martyrs. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar was absent at the event  

Shiv Sena is reportedly planning to seek a stay on the Anti-Crime Bureau decision to close 9 cases against Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, as per sources. Shiv Sena has stated in its application that no major policy decisions can be taken by the incumbent government before they prove their majority on the floor of the house, report sources.

While social media was abuzz on Monday that Deputy Chief Minister has been given clean chit in 9 cases, ACB has clarified that no clean chit has been given to Ajit Pawar in the multi-crore scam. ACB has closed the investigation into 9 open inquiries which were pending with the headquarters for over two months now.

Sources have reported that the Maharashtra Legislative Secretary has recieved the letter on NCP's change in whip from Ajit Pawar to Jayant Patil. The Secretary Rajendra Bhagwat has stated that the letter has been forwarded to the Speaker . He added that no decision has yet been made by the Speaker.

Meanwhile the NCP has released the list of 162 MLAs supporting the Maha Vikas Aghadi . Incidentally, Ajit Pawar’s name is missing from the list of 162 MLAs.

Talking to Republic TV, BJP counsel Mukul Rohatgi said, "The parade conducted by MLAs yesterday wont affect any decision of Supreme court . I am optimistic about the verdict." Meanwhile, sources report that Balasaheb Thorat has been voted at the Congress Legislative party. 

Supreme Court: Order to be pronounced shortly as the bench will assemble soon.

SC Bench comprising Justices NV Ramana, Ashok Bhushan, and Sanjiv Khanna assembles and the order is being pronounced.

Supreme Court has ordered a floor test on Wednesday at 5 PM in the Maharashtra Assembly. No secret ballot will be used for voting, states the apex court.

SC orders Protem Speaker to be appointed immediately, special Session to be called in Nov 27 to administer oath to members.  before 5 PM. Protem Speaker has been given the responsibility to conduct floor test tomorrow. Floor test is to be telecasted live.

Ajit Pawar tweets minutes after SC order on floor test 

Meanwhile, Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena has hailed the decision

Nawab Malik, NCP said, " Today's verdict of the SC is a milestone in Indian democracy. Before 5 pm tomorrow, it will be clear that BJP's game is over. In a few days, there will a govt of Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress in Maharashtra."

Prithviraj Chavan, Congress said, "Tomorrow, at 11 am, members to take oath and at 5pm Pro-tem Speaker to hold Floor Test in Maharashtra Assembly. All 3 parties (Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena) are satisfied with the Supreme Court order. Devendra Fadnavis should resign today."

Sena MP Sanjay Raut tweeted :

Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi has stated that they are confident of winning the floor test. Meanwhile BJP Maharashtra President Chandrakant Patil has said. "We will prove majority in Vidhan sabha. We welcome the decision of SC."

NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar has also welcomed the decision, tweeting

Ajit Pawar has reached Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' residence, where BJP core committee meeting is currently underway.

BJP calls for all its MLAs to meet at Garware Club near Wankhede Stadium at 9 PM, tonight.

Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar is currently visiting Hotel Sofitel to take stock of NCP MLAs staying there. Congress Maharashtra General Secretary Mallikarjun Kharge is currently chairing a crucial Congress meeting at JW Marriott.

Party chiefs of Shiv-Sena and NCP - including Uddhav Thakeray, Aaditya Thakeray and Sharad pawar are holding a key meeting at Hotel Sofitel - where a few NCP MLAs are present. Leaders including Sharad Pawar, Praful Patel, Jayant Patil, Supriya Sule, Chhagan Bhujbal and Sanjay Raut are present.

Meanwhile, Nawab Malik has tweeted informing that joint Congress-NCP-Sena meeting will occur to elect the leader.

Sources report that senior Congress leaders have arrived at Sofitel Hotel where NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena Supremo Uddhav Thackeray are chairing a key meeting of all MLAs ahead of floor test. 

In massive development, Ajit Pawar has allegedly offered his resignation from the post of Deputy Chief Minister. Furthermore, CM Devendra Fadnavis will address the media at 3:30 PM, as per sources. He has also allegedly submitted his resignation to CM Fadnavis.  Shiv Sena's mouthpiece Saamana had also confirmed the move.

NCP refuses to comment on Ajit Pawar's resignation. Says will comment only after full information. 

In a huge setback to the newly formed BJP-led government in Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis is set to resign as Chief Minister, as per sources. This development followed after NCP leader Ajit Pawar has allegedly offered his resignation from the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has claimed that Ajit Pawar has returned to the folds of NCP. He added that Uddhav Thackeray will be selected as CM in joint meeting at 6 PM. He added that Thackeray will be a full-term CM.

"We have established contact with Ajit Pawar. I feel that everything has been settled. Ajit Pawar has resigned. Ajit Pawar is with us," he said.

Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP has called for joint meeting at Hotel Trident at 6 PM to select their alliance leader. 

Fadnavis addresses the media

In a massive development, CM Devendra Fadnavis has announced that he will tender his resignation to the governor as the BJP does not have the numbers, following Ajit Pawar's resignation as Deputy CM.

"As the talks between the three parties continued, Ajit Pawar aproached us and told us that he has the numbers. Hence, we  formed a govt with  him. After the SC verdict, he resigned from his post as Deputy CM. Hence, we do not have numbers. I will tender my resignation as CM to the governor. "

Slamming the Shiv Sena for breaking ranks with BJP, he said,

"We waited for Shiv Sena for a very long time. But they went to Congress and NCP. The governor had invited us and we expressed our inability to form government. After that the Shiv Sena and NCP were asked to form govt but they could not. Then President's rule was imposed."

 Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers display their support to former Deputy CM Ajit PAwar who resigned earlier in the day, leading to the fall of the Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government.

Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar changes his Twitter bio to former Deputy CM, Maharashtra

Visuals of Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP MLAs arrive at Hotel Trident to choose the Chief Minister choice which is believed to be Shiv Sena Supremo Uddhav Thackeray. Shiv Sena Supremo Uddhav Thackeray and son Aaditya Thackeray have arrived at Hotel trident for joint party meeting.

Sources report that former Dy CM Ajit Pawar is skipping the Hotel Trident meeting where all three parties are meeting to select the alliance leader. Meanwhile, NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar has also reached Hotel Trident.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee slams Fadnavis for taking oath in the first place itself. 

Sharad Pawar stated , "Three representatives of 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' will meet the Governor today. Swearing in ceremony to be held at Shivaji Park, Mumbai on 1st December."

To which, Uddhav Thackeray thanked the Maha Vikas Aghadi for choosing him as their CM.

  Sharad Pawar in a series of tweets, said, "A new era is beginning in Maharashtra. There was a need for change in Maharashtra. We got this decision from the people in yesterday's election. Now it is expected that Maharashtra is in a state of good standing."

Amid action-packed political drama in Maharashtra with resignation of newly sworn-in Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputy Ajit Pawar, Nationalist Congress Party cadre raised slogans of -- 'there is only one tiger in Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar, Sharad Pawar' and 'Ajit dada, we love you!'Following the resignation of Ajit and Fadnavis, Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance is chalking out a plan to stake claim to form government in Maharashtra. 

Taking a potshot at Union Minister Nitin Gadkari over his remark that "anything can happen in cricket and politics", NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik on Tuesday said that Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has clean bowled the BJP over government formation in Maharashtra and reminded Gadkari that he had been the ICC chairman in past.

Taking to Twitter, Malik said, "BJP leader Nitin Gadkari was saying that anything can happen in cricket and politics anytime. Probably he forgot that Sharad Pawar had been ICC Chairman. Bowled out. (BJP neta Nitin Gadkari jee keh rahe the cricket aur rajneeti me kabhi bhi aur kuchh v ho sakta hai, shayad wo bhool gaye ki Sharad Pawar ICC ke adhyaksha reh chuke hai, kar diya na clean bowled)."

In a series of tweets, Shiv Sena leader Ramesh Solanki said that he is resigning from the party. He said that he cannot be a part of an alliance, in which a party does not belong to Lord Ram, in a reference to Congress. Summarizing his journey with Shiv Sena he posted pictures and said that it all started in 1992, when he joined the party under the fearless leadership and charisma of Shri BalaSaheb Thackeray at the age of 12. 

He said: "Since then I have been working in various posts and capacities following the Hindutva ideology of BalaSaheb Have seen many ups and downs Have seen n worked in many elections BMC/VidhanSabha/LokSabha etc with only one dream and one aim #HinduRashtra and #CongressMuktBharat.

Here is the entire thread:

After it was confirmed that Uddhav Thackeray will be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Republic TV accessed a picture of the Shiv Sena chief, paying tribute to Shiv Sena founder and his father Bal Thackeray.

Aaditya Thackeray congratulated his father Uddhav Thackeray and ensured that Maharashtra will have a stable govt. 

Maharashtra Governor on Tuesday invited Maha Vikas Aghadi to form the government. The letter from Maharashtra governor stated that the government Uddhav Thackeray will take oath on Nov 28 at 6:40 PM. 

NCP leader Supriya Sule greets all  MLAs arriving at for the oath taking ceremony in the Special Assembly. Sule welcomed former Deputy CM and her cousin, Ajit Pawar. She also welcomed 3-day former CM Devendra Fadnavis too ahead of the new Assembly session. 

Sule expresses confidence in the new government. 

Pro tem Speaker Kalidas Kolambkar starts administering oath to members in the 288-member House, as per PTI.

Talking about Ajit Pawar being possibly chosen as deputy CM, Rohit Pawar said, " Obvisously I would want that to happen, he is a well experienced leader and we will work under his guidance".

Shiv Sena's Neelam Gorhe speaks:

Newly-elected Maharashtra MLAs take oath at the special Assembly session called by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. Here are the visuals:

A day after formally resigning, Ajit Pawar joined NCP leaders in shouting slogans supporting NCP. When asked about his reconciliation, he said, "I am in NCP only, when did I leave the NCP?"

Here are visuals of him with NCP leaders at the Vidhan Sabha:

"The Mahayuti was given a full mandate from the people. While we still fought the elections with the Shiv Sena, as the BJP won 70% of the seats, the mandate was for BJP. We tried to form a government with Shiv Sena, but they tried drive a higher bargain. We did not have any CM post poll-promise pre or post elections," he said at the press conference.

On Ajit Pawar:

When asked about Ajit Pawar alliance, he said, "Only Ajit Pawar can clarify on his actions and if it was a gameplan. We will have to look later if it was a mistake of taking Ajit along.  We conducted an inquiry in the Irrigation scam. Now it is monitored by Court. There was no compromise. We called him as the leader of legislative party.  Ajit told me that he is resigning citing personal reasons."

After the resignation of Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar as CM and Dy CM respectively, Congress National General Secretary KC Venugopal said:

 "This is a victory of constitutional democracy. They thought through horse trading they can make Govt. This is not only a failure of Devendra Fadnavis but also a slap on faces of their masters sitting in Delhi."

He added that after selection of Uddhav Thackeray as leader of their alliance, they will have a joint press confernce announcing the same. 

Fadnavis reaches Raj Bhavan to tender his resignation as Chief Minister to governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari  

3-day Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis submits his resignation 

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Kalidas Kolambkar to be Protem Speaker.

All Congress, Shiv Sena, and NCP MLAs are currently going to Hotel Trident to attend a joint meeting of three parties to select CM choice. Uddhav Thackeray is likely to be announced as the next CM in this meeting.

Fadnavis to remain as caretaker CM till alternate arrangements are made.

Changes Twitter bio accordingly.

Here are visuals of BJP MLA Kalidas Kolambkar taking oath as Maharashtra's Protem Speaker:

Kapil Sibal hails Supreme Court's decision leading to Devendra Fadnavis' resignation 

NCP confirms Uddhav Thackeray as CM choice 

Protem Speaker announces that all MLAs will be sworn-in at Special Assembly session at 8:00 AM 

Sources state that Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP leaders likely to meet Maharashtra Governor this evening at 8:30 PM and stake claim to form the government.

Reason for Ajit Pawar's sudden resignation revealed by PTI. 

After all 288 MLAs took oath, CM-designate Uddhav Thackeray met with Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari ahead of his own oath ceremony on Thursday.

Here are visuals of Sule with Aaditya Thackeray and cousin Ajit Pawar:

Sources report that Congress NCP and Shiv Sena will meet at 2 PM on Wednesday to decide upon the allocation of cabinet berths. Sources report that senior Congrrss leader Ahmed Patel might be attending the meeting.

Ahead of swearing-in ceremony as Maharashtra's Chief Minister, Shiv Sena Supremo Uddhav Thackeray, on Wednesday, will personally invite estranged cousin and MNS chief Raj Thackeray to the ceremony, as per sources. Sources state that the Sena chief will call upon Raj Thackeray as this is the first time a Thackeray is going to become a Chief Minister.

Maha Vikas Aghadi meet

Meanwhile, the “MahaVikadAghadi” meeting which has been preponed to 12 PM will decide on portfolios and decision on whether Ajit Pawar to be inducted in Ministerial berth or not. Sharad Pawar is also reportedly going to invite interim-chief Sonia Gandhi for Uddhav Thackeray's oath-taking ceremony on Thursday.

Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat stated that the cabinet portfolios will be decided within next two days and that no talks on deputy CM had been finalised.

"He made a mistake  by going with BJP. But discussions happened with him and he accepted his mistake. Sharad Pawar forgave him. He is in the party and an experienced legislator also. His presence be beneficial for the govt," said NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik.

Uddhav Thackeray to invite WB CM Mamata Banerjee, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu for his Oath Ceremony on Thursday, as per sources.

Supreme Court refuses to grant urgent hearing of a plea against the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance, alleging 'breach of trust of voters against the mandate in Maharashtra', as per ANI.

In a massive turn of events , BJP leader Eknath Khadse has accused former CM Devendra Fadnavis over the current minority numbers of BJP.

He said, "What is happening today is because of Devendra Fadnavis. He sidelines me, Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Vinod Tawde.  If he would’ve considered us then it was very easy for us to achieve seats more than 20-25seats in 105 seats".

He added, " My personal opinion is that BJP should not have taken support of Ajit Dada Pawar. He is an accused in the massive irrigation scam and faces many allegations, so we should not have allied with him."

On the other side, from the Maha Vikas Aghadi camp, sources have revealed that invitations and phone calls will start going to other party leaders after 1 PM. Moreover, sources have reported that NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar will finalise names who will attend the oath taking ceremony.

Devendra Fadnavis on if it was a mistake to ally with Ajit Pawar:

Sources report that Ajit Pawar is attending the joint meeting which is currently underway at Sharad Pawar residence.

"Holding such ceremonies on public ground should not become regular feature," states HC on oath ceremony of Uddhav at Shivaji Park, reports PTI. Bombay HC, while hearing an old petition filed in 2010, raised security concerns on tomorrow's oath ceremony at Shivaji Park. HC has not stopped the function but has asked authorities to ensure the security saying that such functions shouldn't become a regular feature at the park.

Shiv Sena celebrates new Maharashtra government 

Congress slams BJP's 3-day govt:

Ajit Pawar was seen sitting in the centre during the meet, where all MLAs were present.

Supriya Sule shares photo of hug with cousin 

Former Dy CM Ajit Pawar shares photo 'guiding NCP MLAs' again

Meanwhile, Vijay Wadettiwar from Congress has informed that all Congress Chief Ministers , MK Stalin, Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal have also been also invited for the swearing-in ceremony tomorrow. Sources also inform that Rahul Gandhi will not attend the sweaing-in ceremony tomorrow.

Nawab Malik tweets forgiveness poem on NCP

Sources report that 16-15-12 is the formula currently being finalised. Sources tell that with 12 portfolios, Congress is likely to get speaker post, but it is still being negotiated by NCP. Sources also say that all have agreed to consider Sharad Pawar as the senior most leader of the alliance and he can be the chief of all the three parties. One committee also will be reportedly formed like "UPA" to make sure Common Minimum Programme is being followed. Moreover, the committee will allegedly the advise CM time to time.

Sources report that Devendra Fadnavis has been elected as the Leader of Opposition, a day after he stepped down as CM of Maharashtra.

Around 2000 police personnel will be deployed at Shivaji Park for the swearing in ceremony (Uddhav Thackeray as Maharashtra CM) tomorrow, says Mumbai police.

Aaditya Thackeray meets Congress chief Sonia Gandhi

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray reaches Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi's residence to invite her for the swearing-in ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray as the Chief Minister of #Maharashtra, tomorrow.

Praful Patel, NCP after attending meeting of NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena MLAs in Mumbai: There will be only one Deputy Chief Minister and that will be from NCP. It's not decided yet how many ministers will take oath with Chief Minister tomorrow. How many ministers will take oath will be decided tonight. 1 or 2 MLAs from each party will take oath as ministers. Speaker has been decided by all three parties, Speaker will be from Congress and Deputy Speaker from NCP

NCP's Sharad Pawar & Supriya Sule leave after attending the meeting of NCP-Shiv Sena-Congress MLAs at YB Chavan Centre. Sources said that Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is unhappy with the list of ministers.