Maharashtra: Swearing-in of members of the 14th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly has started.
In a special assembly session in Maharashtra, interim speaker Kalidas Kolambkar administered oath to the MLAs today. Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Tuesday called the special session hours after BJP's Devendra Fadnavis resigned as the Chief Minister of the Maharashtra government in a dramatic turn of events. NCP's Ajit Pawar, his deputy, had also resigned on Tuesday afternoon.
The resignations came after the Supreme Court ordered an "immediate" floor test, to be telecast live, so that Mr Fadnavis could prove his majority in the assembly. "If the floor test is delayed, there is a possibility of horse-trading, it becomes incumbent upon the Court to act to protect democratic values," said the court. The court was hearing a petition by the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine that had challenged the government formation in Maharashtra, calling it undemocratic and unconstitutional.
Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will be sworn in on Thursday as Chief Minister of a Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government, an unthinkable alliance because of its ideologically mismatched constituents. "I had never dreamed of leading the state. I would like to thank (Congress president) Sonia Gandhi and others," Mr Thackeray said after being elected to lead the alliance.
The BJP, which won 105 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra assembly, needed 40 MLAs to prove a majority. The party had banked on Ajit Pawar to bring in 54 NCP MLAs, but the gamble didn't pay; hardly anyone followed "Ajit-Dada". Ajit Pawar, NCP patriarach's nephew, resigned on Tuesday in a dramatic turn of events.
Here are the highlights on Maharashtra government formation:
Court raises concerns over security at Shivaji Park
The Bombay High Court, while hearing an old petition filed in 2010, raised security concerns over tomorrow's oath ceremony at Shivaji Park.
The court has not stopped the function but has asked authorities to ensure security, saying that such functions should not become a regular feature at the park.
Preparations for swearing-in ceremony underway
Preparations are underway at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, tomorrow.
Not unhappy with anyone: Ajit Pawar
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar did not rule out joining the Uddhav Thackeray-led government after the short-lived rebellion that saw him taking oath as deputy to the BJP's Devendra Fadnavis four days ago.
"The decision to induct me in the cabinet is to be taken by Uddhav Thackeray as Chief Minister," he says.
"I am not unhappy with anyone. I will accept any responsibility given by my party," he adds.
Shiv Sena leaders celebrate in Parliament premises
Ahead of oath-taking ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray as Maharashtra Chief Minister tomorrow.
Two MLAs get late for oath-taking ceremony
Two members - Mahesh Baldi (Independent) and Mohammed Ismail (AIMIM) - were administered oath in the Speaker's chamber as they arrived after the House was adjourned, legislature secretary Rajendra Bhagwat said.
Mr Ismail arrived late as he got stuck in traffic, while Mr Baldi, the MLA from Uran in neighbouring Raigad district, was held up as the ferry boat which he boarded to reach Mumbai from Alibaug, broke down, he said.
Congress has given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha over 'indiscriminate disinvestment of Public Sector Undertakings, news agency ANI reported.
Senior Congress leaders Ahmed Patel and Mallikarjun Kharge arrive at NCP Chief Sharad Pawar's residence.
Priority is farmers, not bullet train: Shiv Sena Leader
A Shiv Sena official says that the Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP front set to form the next Maharashtra government is likely to pump the brakes on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.
The alliance, which will come to power after a week of high drama in a state that has been without a government for more than a month, has also scrapped the Nanar oil refinery and will not cut any more trees at Mumbai's Aarey Colony, party spokesperson Manisha Kayande says.
It will, instead, focus on farmers' welfare - a key election issue.
"Our priority is farmers... personally feel don't need (a) bullet train," Deepak Kesarkar, a Sena MLA and Minister of State in the earlier state government, says.
Should not have taken Ajit Pawar's support: BJP
Senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse says: "My personal opinion is that BJP should not have taken support of Ajit Pawar. He is an accused in the massive irrigation scam and faces many allegations, so we should not have allied with him."
PM Modi equally involved in insult to democracy: Siddaramaiah
Congress leader Siddaramaiah says: "What has happened in Maharashtra is a slap on the face of BJP. How could Devendra Fadnavis take oath knowing he did not have majority? It was a violation of the constitution. Narendra Modi was equally involved in this insult to democracy, he was also hand in glove."
Felt proud while taking oath: Aaditya Thackeray
Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray says: "We are committed to making a new Maharashtra. There are several first time MLAs and we all felt proud while taking oath. Want to serve the people of the state."
Will say right thing at right time: Devendra Fadnavis
When BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was asked if it was a mistake to ally with NCP's Ajit Pawar, he said: "I will say the right thing at the right time, don't worry."
Congress leaders Ahmed Patel and KC Venugopal are on their way to meet NCP leader Sharad Pawar.
Will speak at appropriate time: Ajit Pawar
"I was in the NCP and will continue to be in the party... I will speak at an appropriate time," Ajit Pawar says.
The NCP leader says he met party chief Sharad Pawar as "he is our leader."
In the end, Ajit Pawar admitted his mistake: Nawab Malik
NCP leader Nawab Malik says: "In the end, he (Ajit Pawar) admitted his mistake. It is a family matter and Pawar Sahib (Sharad Pawar) has forgiven him. He is very much in the party and his position in the party has not changed."
Top Court refuses to consider urgent plea on Maharashtra
Supreme Court refuses to consider urgently a plea alleging breach of trust of voters in the alliance of Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress against the mandate in Maharashtra. The top court says there is no urgency.
Raj Bhavan officials say that Uddhav Thackeray reached at 9:15 am to meet Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and left at 9:50am.
Officials say it was just courtesy visit.
Uddhav Thackeray along with wife Rashmi Thackeray had breakfast with Governor this morning.
Work together, P Chidambaram tells new Maharashtra government
Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who is currently lodged in Tihar jail, posts a series of tweets through his family on the Maharashtra political situation:
"What will remain in memory of Constitution Day 2019 is the most egregious violation of the Constitution in Maharashtra between November 23 and November 26, 2019."
"It was an assault on the office of Rasthrapathi to wake him up at 4.00 am to sign an order revoking President's Rule. Why could it not have waited until 9.00 am in the morning?" he adds.
"Warm greetings to the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress Coalition government. Please subordinate your individual party interests and work together to implement the common interests of the three parties - farmers' welfare, investment, employment, social justice and women and child welfare," he says.
No decision on deputy CM yet: Congress leader
President of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee Balasaheb Thorat says: "No decision has been taken on who will be deputy chief minister."
Maharashtra News Live: Supriya Sule welcomes Ajit Pawar
Ajit Pawar was received after his brief rebellion against uncle Sharad Pawar with a warm hug from his daughter Supriya Sule as she welcomed MLAs of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) before their oath in the Maharashtra assembly this morning.
Uddhav Thackeray, wife meet Maharashtra governor
Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray, his wife Rashmi meet Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai.
Uddhav Thackeray will be sworn in tomorrow as Chief Minister of a Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government after Devendra Fadnavis resigned as Chief Minister and Ajit Pawar as his deputy, ahead of a trust vote ordered by the Supreme Court.
New government will last only for few days: BJP Leader
Newly-elected BJP MLA Ram Satpute says Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government will not last for many days.
"We will work as a good Opposition under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis. This government will be only there for a few days. This government is of 'Jayachandon' (a character in Mahabharata referring to betrayal) and will not continue for many days," Mr Satpute says.
Maharashtra News: Devendra Fadnavis takes oath
In the House, Protem Speaker Kalidas Kolambar announces Babanrao Pachpute, Vijaykumar Gavit and Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil as the presiding officers for administering oath of the members.
Presiding officers Babanrao Pachpute and Vijaykumar Gavit were the first to take oath followed by caretaker chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Maharashtra Assembly: Happy that Ajit Pawar came back, says Rohit Pawar
NCP MLA Rohit Pawar (grand nephew of NCP chief Sharad Pawar) at the assembly in Mumbai says: "We are happy that Ajit Pawar has come back. He is also here today. He is a part of NCP. Going forward, we would work under his guidance."
Maharashtra Government Formation: Bal Thackeray's dream being fulfilled, says Shiv Sena leader
Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe: "We are happy that finally the dream of Balasaheb Thackeray is being fulfilled. 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' will be led by Uddhav Thackeray, guided by Sharad Pawar and Sonia Gandhi who have made immense contributions to it, so we will do great work for Maharashtra."
Maharashtra News Live: Newly-elected Maharashtra MLAs take oath
MLAs at the special Assembly session called by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
Protem Speaker Kalidas Kolambkar is administering the oath to the legislators at the session.
Maharashtra Government: Supriya Sule greets Ajit Pawar
As the MLAs - several of them smiling in apparent relief after the long impasse over government formation - came out from their vehicles, Nationalist Congress Party leader Supriya Sule greeted them. She also hugged Ajit Pawar, who resigned as Deputy Chief Minister less than a week after he was sworn in.
VK Patil takes oath as an MLA in the Maharashtra assembly.
Maharashtra News: Ajit Pawar, Aaditya Thackeray take oath as MLAs
Ajit Pawar, Chhagan Bhujbal, Aaditya Thackeray among those administered oath as MLAs as Maharashtra Assembly session begins.
Maharashtra Government Formation: Supriya Sule welcomes MLAs to assembly
NCP leader Supriya Sule at the assembly in Mumbai says: "Lot of new responsibilities. Every citizen of Maharashtra stood by us."
"It's not just a happy day... this day comes with a lot of responsibility," she tells NDTV.
BJP's Devendra Fadnavis also arrives at the assembly.
NCP leaders Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule arrive at the Maharashtra assembly, ahead of the first session of the new assembly today. Oath will be administered to the MLAs shortly.
Aaditya Thackeray offers prayers at Siddhivinayak Temple
Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray offers prayers at Siddhivinayak Temple, ahead of the first session of new assembly today.
Ajit Pawar says he is with NCP
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar says: "There is no question of return, I am with the NCP and have been with the NCP."
Senior NCP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Majeed Memon has said group leaders of their respective parties -- NCP's Jayant Patil and Congress' Balasaheb Thorat -- will become Deputy Chief Ministers in the Maha Vikas Aghadi-led government in Maharashtra.
"Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will be sworn in as Chief Minister and Balasaheb Thorat from Congress and Jayant Patil from NCP will become Deputy Chief Ministers," Mr Memon said on Tuesday.