In the latest development in Maharashtra's political deadlock, President's rule was imposed in the state on Tuesday.
President's rule was imposed in Maharashtra on Tuesday, in what comes as the latest development regarding a crisis in the state over government formation. According to sources, President Ram Nath Kovind has signed the recommendation of Union Cabinet to impose President's Rule.
Even as a meeting between NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Congress leaders Mallikaarjun Kharge, Ahmed Patel, KC Venugopal was underway, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs sent a file pertaining to President's rule in Maharashtra for signing, which President Kovind signed, thereby imposing the President's Rule in the state.
BJP emerged as the single largest party with 105 seats, while Sena claiming victory on 56, NCP grabbing 54 and Congress won 44 seats.
BJP-Sena fought the election as a pre-poll alliance but have been stuck over the 50-50 formula for government formation, with the latter demanding to rotate the chief ministers' post for 2.5 years each between the two parties.
Maharashtra government formation impasse | live updates
18:00 IST | November 12, 2019
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Spokesperson: Maharashtra Governor was of the view that it has been 15 days since the conclusion of electoral process and none of the political parties are in the position to form a govt in the state; President's Rule is a better option, says Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) spokesperson.
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Spokesperson: #Maharashtra Governor was of the view that it has been 15 days since the conclusion of electoral process and none of the political parties are in the position to form a govt in the state; President's Rule is a better option. pic.twitter.com/dkgySHo3oE
— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2019
17:50 IST | November 12, 2019
All efforts for the formation of government in Maharashtra were made, but the situation for a stable government was not possible, says governor.
17:28 IST | November 12, 2019
President's rule imposed in Maharashtra. President Ram Nath Kovind has signed the recommendation of Union Cabinet.
17:25 IST | November 12, 2019
Meeting underway between NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Congress leaders Mallikaarjun Kharge, Ahmed Patel and KC Venugopal.
17:04 IST | November 12, 2019
Ministry of Home Affairs sends file pertaining to President's rule in Maharashtra for signing, said sources adding that it may take some time as the President is not in Delhi.
7:00 IST | November 12, 2019
According to lawyers, the Supreme Court Registry hasn't informed on Shiv Sena's hearing today. If President's rule is imposed today, a fresh petition will be filed challenging it.
15:50 IST | November 12, 2019
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari sends a report to the President stating that government in the state cannot be formed in accordance with the Constitution.
15:10 IST | November 12, 2019
Shiv Sena moves Supreme Court against Maharashtra Governer's decision to reject its plea for a 3-day extension to prove majority.
5:01 IST | November 12, 2019
"Governor called us to stake claim yesterday and gave us time till 8:30 pm today. Senior Congress leaders Ahmed Patel, Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal are coming to Mumbai and will meet Sharad Pawar at 5 pm. Decision will be taken after their discussion," Nawab Malik said.
14:56 IST | Tuesday, November 12, 2019
NCP had said that reports of President's Rule has been recommended by the governor are not correct. There is no such confirmation from Raj Bhavan.
14:51 IST | Tuesday, November 12, 2019
"Today NCP meeting was held. All 54 MLAs were present. It has been decided that looking at the uncertainty in the state, we'll empower party chief Sharad Pawar to take a decision on alternative government. A committee will be formed for the same which will be led by Sharad Pawar," said NCP leader Nawab Malik.
Nawab Malik, NCP: Today NCP meeting was held. All 54 MLAs were present. It has been decided that looking at the uncertainty in the state, we'll empower Sharad Pawar ji to take a decision on alternative govt.A committee will be formed for the same which will be led by Sharad Pawar pic.twitter.com/c9tOLG6NEY
— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2019
Sushil Kr Shinde, Congress: There's no issue of Congress being late, we've been alert since beginning. We had asked them (NCP) if they've sent a letter(to Governor). Things will have to be done simultaneously, they're our partner. Whatever decision is taken,it'll be done together pic.twitter.com/4g9eFHXxLy
— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2019
14:46 IST | Monday, November 12, 2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a cabinet meeting on Tuesday in which Maharashtra situation was also discussed among other issues before leaving for two-day Brazil visit to attend the 11th BRICS summit. Sources have revealed that Maharashtra Governor has recommended President's rule in the state, an option which Modi cabinet also discussed in the meeting.
13:40 IST | Monday, November 12, 2019
Ahead of the Congress-NCP meet on the government formation in Maharashtra, sources say that Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari has recommended President's rule in the state. NCP's deadline will end at 8:30 pm tonight, therefore, going by sources, Maharashtra seems to be heading towards the President's rule.
12:35 IST | Monday, November 12, 2019
Following a meeting of senior Congress leaders at Sonia Gandhi's residence in Delhi, KC Venugopal tweets, "Sonia Gandhi spoke to Sharad Pawar today morning and deputed Ahamed Patel, Mallikarjun Kharge and myself for holding further discussions with Sharad Pawar. We three are going to Mumbai now and will meet Sharad Pawar at the earliest."
Hon'ble Congress President Smt.Sonia Gandhi spoke to Shri.Sharad Pawar today morning and deputed Shri.Ahamed Patel, Shri.Mallikarjun Kharge and myself for holding further discussions with Shri.Pawar.
— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) November 12, 2019
We three are going to Mumbai now and will meet Shri.Pawar at the earliest.
12:00 IST | Monday, November 12, 2019
As per sources, no Congress leader from Delhi will be leaving for Mumbai to hold talks with NCP on Maharashtra government formation. NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Congress leader Ahmed Patel have held talks on the matter. The decision is expected to be taken after NCP and Mumbai Congress leaders meet.
Senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Venugopalan, others were likely to meet NCP delegation, however, no Congress leader from Delhi will be visiting Mumbai for now.
11:30 IST | Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Meeting at interim Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's residence on the Maharashtra situation has commenced. AK Antony and KV Venogopalan among other leaders are present in the meeting. As per sources, it will be decided after the meeting whether a Congress delegation will leave for Mumbai to carry discussions with NCP on government formation with Shiv Sena.
10:50 IST | Tuesday, November 12, 2019
"Who says there is a meeting? I don't know," said NCP chief Sharad Pawar on being asked if there is a meeting scheduled today between Congress and NCP today.
NCP Chief Sharad Pawar on being asked if there is a meeting scheduled today between Congress and NCP: Who says there is a meeting? I don't know. #MaharashtraGovtFormation pic.twitter.com/orGqwfyBZj
— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2019
10:25 IST | Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Ahead of the expected NCP-Congress talks, senior Cong leader Manikrao Thakre has said that his party leaders will not come to Mumbai on Tuesday as the meeting between Congress leaders and Sharad Pawar is likely to take place after two days.
Meanwhile, NCP leader Ajit Pawar has said that their party is not delaying, Congress has sought two days time and is creating confusion.
But the NCP had been given time till tonight 8:30 pm by the Maharashtra governor and it now seems unlikely that it will get a 'support letter' from Congress on the government formation, as per sources. So if the NCP does not get 'letter of support' from Congress then it will not take claim stake to form the government.
Once the NCP's deadline ends, it is expected that the governor will invite the Congress party and may grant it 24 hours to stake claim. However, as per sources, the Congress is unlikely to stake claim to form the government which can further push the state towards 'President Rule'.
1. Sena fails to get numbers, Governor calls NCP
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The suspense over government formation in Maharashtra continued on Monday, 17 days after the assembly results were declared, after the Shiv Sena failed to convince the Congress to extend support despite a telephone call from Uddhav Thackeray to Sonia Gandhi.
The Shiv Sena failed to get the requisite number to form the government within the 24-hour period given by the governor and its request for a 48-hour extension was turned down by Bhagat Singh Koshyari who moved on to the third-largest party and invited the NCP to stake claim to form the government.
2. BJP-Sena stuck on 50-50 formula
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Shiv Sena and BJP contested the recently-held assembly elections together but failed to reach an agreement for government formation.
The Shiv Sena's claim of 50-50 government formula, asking for the chief minister's post of two and half years had not been accepted by the BJP.
However, so far, both the parties have not been able to solve differences over the 50-50 scheme as alternative options are now being explored for government formation.
