Nearly 162 MLAs of the three-party combine took oath at joint ''parade'' not to fall prey to any inducements by BJP ahead of Supreme Court ruling. Vehicles carrying Shiv Sena, NCP MLAs arrived at Mumbai's Grand Hyatt hotel. Sharad Pawar along with daughter Supriya Sule around an hour ago. Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut today invited Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai, where he said the three-party combine will showcase their show of strength.
"We are all one and together, watch our 162 together for the first time at grand Hyatt at 7 pm. Come and watch yourself," he tweeted.
The Devendra Fadnavis-Ajit Pawar duo took charge in Maharashtra today and won another day to rally numbers as the Supreme Court, after an 80-minute hearing, said it would declare its decision tomorrow on a petition challenging the surprise government formation by the BJP on Saturday morning. The centre argued that Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari invited Devendra Fadnavis to form government in Maharashtra based on a letter showing the support of 170 MLAs, including all 54 of Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). On the other hand, the rival group of Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress submitted documents claiming the support of 154 MLAs and called for an "immediate" test of strength in the Maharashtra assembly.
Here are the Highlights on Maharashtra government formation:
सत्यमेव जयते!
- Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) November 25, 2019
The @INCIndia @NCPspeaks & @ShivSena today presented its 162 MLAs to the media. A truthful majority has to the mandate of the constitution and the people. We together are #MahaStrength pic.twitter.com/jm21X0joMZ
Samajwadi Party's Abu Azmi at Hotel Grand Hyatt in Mumbai where Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress MLAs assembled today: After an approval from the party chief Akhilesh Yadav, I have given a letter showing the support of SP for Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance. pic.twitter.com/H7S6fmZwKI
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
Ashish Shelar, BJP in Mumbai: Identification parade is done in case of accused persons, not in case of elected MLAs. It is an insult to the MLAs and the people who elected them. #Maharashtra https://t.co/5dXLqU3cI7 pic.twitter.com/X3dzynKTSf
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
I am confident that in the floor test, all these 162 MLAs will vote against the present government of Maharashtra. Then, a new government will be formed says NCP leader Jayant Patil
#WATCH Mumbai: Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress MLAs assembled at Hotel Hyatt take a pledge, "I swear that under the leadership of Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray & Sonia Gandhi, I will be honest to my party. I won't get lured by anything. I will not do anything which will benefit BJP". pic.twitter.com/CV8VhOmKl1
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
A pledge on behalf of all MLAs of the NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress was read out by NCP leader Jitendra Awhad.
"I will be honest to my party.. will not get lured by anything. I will not do anything that will benefit the BJP. I will not get involved into any anti-party activities."
- Those in the Centre have formed government in many states. BJP has shown how power is misused. Of a house of 288, 162 are present here. Many others have also supported us but we have not yet taken it on paper so we won't disclose their names now.
- Maharashtra is nor Goa
- We are ready to move forward, will teach them a lesson
- The day SC will order for floor test, we are prepared for it
- Ajit Pawar's decision his own, Ajit didn't have power to make decisions
- Ajit thought NCP MLAs would leave
- I welcome everyone here
NCP Chief Sharad Pawar: There will not be any problem in proving our majority. The one who is suspended from the party cannot give any orders. On the day of floor test, I will bring more than 162 MLAs. This is not Goa, this is Maharashtra. #Mumbai https://t.co/f3Bb4n50dR
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
We live by Satyameva Jayate. We are friends, strong and I dare anyone to break our party. If you try and break party wait and watch, This is Chhatrapati Shivaji's Maharashtra, The more you try to break us, the more we will unite: Uddhav Thackeray
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Jitendra Awhad to MLAs: An oath will be taken here. #Maharashtra https://t.co/8RiYng8UV4
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
Mumbai: Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge and Ashok Chavan arrive at Hotel Grand Hyatt where Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress MLAs have assembled. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/wKRm8DGdC6
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
Mumbai: "Long live Maha Vikas Aghadi" slogans raised at the hall in Hotel Grand Hyatt, where Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress MLAs have assembled. https://t.co/XJdDOH3YeK
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
Mumbai: Preparations underway at Hotel Grand Hyatt where MLAs from Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress will assemble shortly. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/XyLJMn9CE9
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
Mumbai: Bus carrying Shiv Sena MLAs arrives at Hotel Grand Hyatt. #Maharashtra https://t.co/RwfmfIpvQv pic.twitter.com/v6cS7iTZp8
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
Locked in a protracted power tussle with the BJP in Maharashtra, the ''Maha Vikas Aghadi'' of the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress has decided to "parade" 162 MLAs in a Mumbai five-star hotel this evening in a show of united strength.
The move was announced hours after the leaders of the three parties submitted a letter to Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari claiming that they have the requisite numbers to form government.
Office of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra: CM Devendra Fadnavis chaired a meeting in Mumbai today to discuss proposed 'Climate Resilience Improvement and flood & drought Management Program' with representatives from World Bank. pic.twitter.com/gAvvIzjARt
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
Office of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra: CM Devendra Fadnavis sanctions another Rs 5380 crore from Maharashtra Contingency Fund to give relief to unseasonal rain affected farmers. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/Xi260SlgI7
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
Mumbai: NCP's Sharad Pawar & Supriya Sule arrive at Grand Hyatt Hotel. Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut had tweeted earlier, 'Watch our 162 (MLAs) together for the first time at Grand Hyatt at 7 pm, come and watch yourself Maharashtra Governor.' pic.twitter.com/DS7bUEYkw9
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
Closing down 'Corruption Cases' is now being used as a bargaining tool to carry on an illegitimate BJP-Ajit Pawar Govt in Maharashtra.
- Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) November 25, 2019
This is a blot on democracy.
'Contract Killing' of democracy is now synonymous with 'Contract Killing' of honesty & accountability.
Statement- pic.twitter.com/sqU2s5LbUI
The Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) said it has closed probe into alleged irregularities in nine irrigation projects in Maharashtra, adding none of these cases was linked to deputy CM Ajit Pawar.
According to highly placed sources in Maharashtra Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), in the list of cases being circulated on social media, none of the cases belong to alleged irrigation corruption case against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar. pic.twitter.com/HVlttfhSmM
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
Raosaheb Patil Danve, BJP: There is no 'Operation Lotus', we have enough MLAs for the majority, we are not threatening any MLA. Sanjay Raut's allegations are false, after a few days he will have to be sent to a mental hospital. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/DeQt1APkMN
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
We are all one and together , watch our 162 together for the first time at grand Hyatt at 7 pm , come and watch yourself @maha_governor pic.twitter.com/hUSS4KoS7B
- Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) November 25, 2019
NCP chief Sharad Pawar says he was not behind Ajit Pawar's decision to align with the BJP and become the deputy chief minister, and asserted that his party along with Congress and Shiv Sena will form the next government in Maharashtra.
Mumbai: Shiv Sena MLAs have been brought to Hotel Lemon Tree, from Lalit Hotel where they were earlier lodged. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/qdlfysYotI
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
Paid homage to the first CM of the State, Yashwantrao Chavan ji on his death anniversary at Vidhansabha today.
- Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) November 25, 2019
Known as the architect of Modern Maharashtra, he was instrumental in promoting the rise of Public, Cooperative and Private enterprises in the State.
Jayant Patil says, "This morning at 10am, Eknath Shinde, Balasaheb Thorat, Ashok Chavan, Vinayak Raut ji, Azmi, KC Padvi and I - on behalf of the NCP, gave a letter to the Governor showing the strength of 162 MLAs."
Both sides agree that the floor test is ultimate, BJP does not want it quickly: Abhishek Manu Singhvi to Supreme Court.
NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena petition in Supreme Court: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, for Maharashtra Governor, says - Grant us 2-3 days' time and let us file a reply. The Governor has in absolute discretion invited the largest party on November 23.
Mukul Rohatgi: Yesterday we heard a chorus - "How could Governor act like this" Governor acted correctly. The signatures (of NCP MLAs) were there in the letter. Governor acted reasonably because he acted on the material placed before him. Mukul Rohatgi (Arguing for Fadnavis): I met Ajit Pawar, his letter had an enclosure of list of names of NCP MLAs supporting me. Mukul Rohatgi submits that through the weekend some of the MLAs went with Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis and now these MLAs are extending support to Sharad Pawar.
#Maharashtra: Leaders of Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena arrive at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/54N0bhUOtX
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
NCP leader Nawab Malik said," Devendra Fadnavis must realise that he does not have a majority. He should realise that he has made a mistake. If he doesn't resign, we will certainly defeat the government on the floor of the House."
Four MLAs of Sharad Pawar's party, who had gone incommunicado since Saturday after his nephew Ajit Pawar took oath as Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, have returned to the NCP fold, the party said. 53 of the NCP's 54 MLAs are back in touch, the party claimed. Some of the "rebel" MLAs were flown to Delhi allegedly by the BJP on Saturday, according to a passenger manifest. Three MLAs - Daulat Daroda, Anil Patil and Nitin Pawar - were "rescued" from Gurgaon by the youth wing of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and flown back to Mumbai.
- Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) November 25, 2019
NCP leader Ajit Pawar's late-night dash to BJP's Devendra Fadnavis's house in Mumbai on Sunday led to speculation about another pincer movement by the BJP against the newly-formed Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP combine. However, a tweet by the office of Devendra Fadnavis, who took oath as Chief Minister of Maharashtra for a second term in a surprise ceremony just after sunrise on Saturday, put the speculation to rest. The late-night meeting with his deputy Ajit Pawar was not about government formation, according to the tweet. "CM Devendra Fadnavis and DCM Ajit Pawar today met and discussed on various measures for additional support and assistance to unseasonal rain affected farmers. Tomorrow it will be further discussed with the Chief Secretary and Finance Secretary," Mr Fadnavis' office tweeted.
NCP MLAs who were staying at Gurugram hotel are being brought to Mumbai. In this picture Anil Patil (3rd from right in the picture, in yellow shirt) and Daulat Daroda (5th from right in the picture, in yellow shirt), who were reportedly missing.
Nationalist Congress Party leader Nawab Malik said: 52 MLAs of the party have come back to us, one more is in touch with us.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik, to ANI: 52 MLAs of the party have come back to us, one more is in touch with us. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/8AOEzD6hBB
- ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
Chhagan Bhujbal, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP): We are here (Hyatt Hotel) to meet our party MLAs. Only one or two of our party MLAs are not here. pic.twitter.com/IpkFgXmKKA
- ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2019
Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar on Sunday met BJP's Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai, hours after he went on a tweeting overdrive, ending with some cryptic ones that indicated that party chief Sharad Pawar was on board with the plan to support the BJP for government formation in Maharashtra. An immediate denial came from Pawar Senior, who called Ajit Pawar's statement "false and misleading in order to create confusion".
