Uncertainty over government formation in Maharashtra continues as the state was placed under president's rule. Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, earlier in the day, submitted a report to the centre stating that none of the parties invited since Saturday -- the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party -- were able to show letters of support to form government.
After BJP, the single-largest party, got invite to form government on Saturday, and refused to stake claim, its ally Shiv Sena also failed Governor's deadline on Monday. Sharad Pawar's NCP, the third largest party, had got a deadline till 8:30 pm today.
Reluctant to form an alliance with the Shiv Sena, NCP ally Congress delayed its response as Sena sought support. "We will get back to you," Sonia Gandhi reportedly told Uddhav Thackeray on Monday, who, sources said, had made "numerous calls" as the two ideologically mismatched parties tried to collaborate.
The Sena had set the stage for talks on Monday morning after pulling out its lone minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, Arvind Sawant, signaling its break-up with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Here are the live updates on President's Rule In Maharashtra:
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in a press note, called President's rule is "unfortunate". "We expect that Maharashtra will get a stable government soon," he said.
"Yesterday we formally requested Congress-NCP for their support to form the government. We needed 48 hours, but the Governor didn't give us time. BJP was invited by the Governor but they refused to form govt in the state. The next day we were given the invitation (by Governor), we were given only 24 hours time but we required 48 hours. But he didn't give us 48 hours time"
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. I would like to thank Arvind Sawant, many people have lust for ministerial post but he isn't like that. Shiv Sena is proud of him: Uddhav Thackeray
- Before deciding on Shiv Sena's proposal seeking support, there should be clarity on all issues, Congress, NCP say in joint press conference
- Congress-NCP Will Evolve Consensus On Shiv Sena's proposal seeking support for government formation, says Praful Patel
- Congress and NCP on Tuesday discussed what could be common minimum programme, policies, says Sharad Pawar
- No final decision can be taken without formulation of common minimum program between Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena, says Ahmed Patel, political advisor to Sonia Gandhi
"Supreme Court registry has said they may mention the matter tomorrow before the court, for urgent hearing. Fresh/second petition challenging the imposition of President's Rule is being readied. The decision on when to file it will be taken tomorrow," says Shiv Sena's lawyer
As Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray desperately reaches out to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar for support to form government in Maharashtra, videos and quotes of his father Bal Thackeray's caustic attacks on both parties have been widely circulated online
The Shiv Sena approached the Supreme Court today against Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's refusal to grant it extra time to stake claim to form the next government in Maharashtra. The decision was "unconstitutional, unreasonable and malafide," the party said in its petition to the top court. Congress leader and former Union Minister Kapil Sibal will represent the party in the top court, sources said
Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's move to declare President's Rule in Maharashtra is a "travesty of democracy" and makes a mockery of the Constitutional process, the Congress has declared. In a series of tweets, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala gave a multi-point explainer" on how it is a "violation" of the SP Bommai judgment
"I condemn this action which has been taken in a hurry without exhausting all options. This raises questions about the governor''s impartiality. This also raises doubt whether the governor is acting under pressure," Sachin Sawant said
Congress leaders, deputed by Sonia Gandhi, have arrived at Y B Chavan Centre in south Mumbai to hold talks with NCP president Sharad Pawar on the issue of government formation in Maharashtra
The Congress delegation includes AICC general secretaries Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal and Mrs Gandhi's political advisor Ahmed Patel
The Governor sent the report after the NCP spoke to him at 11 am, hours before its 8.30 pm deadline, and asked for more time. President's Rule was recommended in the middle of meetings between allies Congress and NCP to discuss support to the Shiv Sena. The NCP of Sharad Pawar received an invite last evening after the Shiv Sena failed to get a three-day extension to stake claim. The Sena has gone to the Supreme Court against the Governor's refusal to give it more time
Maharashtra Governor submits report to President of India, stating he is satisfied that government in state cannot be carried out in accordance with Constitution. pic.twitter.com/B9yflAJbuz
- Prasar Bharati News Services (@PBNS_India) November 12, 2019
The Shiv Sena has moved the Supreme Court against Maharashtra Governor's decision to reject its plea seeking three days time to get letters of support from the NCP and the Congress.
President's Rule recommended in Maharashtra, say sources, amid uncertainty in the state over government formation.
"Without the 3 parties coming together, no stable government can be formed", NCP leader Nawab Malik.
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 12, 2019
Follow live on https://t.co/Fbzw6mR9Q5 and NDTV 24x7 pic.twitter.com/JGYiZeuMha
"Raj Bhavan has cleared that there is no decision on President's rule", NCP leader Nawab Malik
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 12, 2019
Follow live on https://t.co/Fbzw6mR9Q5 and NDTV 24x7 pic.twitter.com/dZejAumu4S
After deleting a tweet on President's Rule, State broadcaster Prasar Bharti attributed sources saying President's rule was recommended in Mahrashtra.
Sources: Maharashtra Governor recommends President's rule in the state.
- Prasar Bharati News Services (@PBNS_India) November 12, 2019
After NCP's Ajit Pawar hinted that Congress delayed response to Sena, seeking support from the two parties, Congress's Sushil Kumar Shinde was quoted as saying by news agency ANI: "There is nothing like delaying. Congress was alert from the beginning. The NCP is our partner and we need to do everything together. There was ideological differences but now there is a smoothness. Governor can do anything as the state is off him. If the presidential rule will be applied even then the government can come in the state."
Maharashtra Governor recommends President's rule in the state.
- Prasar Bharati News Services (@PBNS_India) November 12, 2019
As Maharashtra plunges into uncertainty over government formation, an AAP leader took a barb at Congress. Aam Aadmi Party leader Preeti Sharma Menon on Tuesday said that the Congress leadership "always puts the party before the nation" and claimed that they are giving Maharashtra "on a platter" to the BJP. "Congress leadership always puts their party before the nation. In Lok Sabha, they stubbornly refused regional alliances and helped BJP sweep. Now they are giving Maharashtra on a platter to the BJP. It's moribund attitude will decimate it soon," Ms Menon tweeted. Read here
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.
Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray arrives to meet party leader Sanjay Raut at Lilawati hospital today. Raut was admitted to hospital yesterday after he complained of chest pain. pic.twitter.com/DtAJZskDsc
- ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2019
#WATCH 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/Tz2ytPGBHn
- ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2019
Just when it seemed to be coming around to the idea of backing the Shiv Sena in forming government in Maharashtra despite their huge ideological mismatch, the Congress took a step back and said there was no decision yet. The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's top decision-making body, has authorized party president Sonia Gandhi to take the final call. Read here
NCP chief Sharad Pawar visits Sena leader Sanjay Raut in hospital who underwent angioplasty on Monday. Mr Raut was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai after complaining of chest pain.