Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the Maharashtra Chief Minister with Ajit Pawar as his deputy.
The Centre must produce the letters of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claiming majority and that of the Governor inviting to form a government, the Supreme Court said today. In an extraordinary hearing on Sunday, a three-judge bench also issued a notice to Mr Fadnavis, his deputy Ajit Pawar, the state and the Central government. The Centre has to produce the letters in court by 10.30 am tomorrow. The order has bypassed the Shiv Sena, Congress and Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party's demand that the BJP be asked to take a test of strength on the floor of the Maharashtra assembly within 24 hours, as happened in Karnataka.
The BJP on Saturday made a stunning comeback in Maharashtra, with some deft political maneuvering that saw Nationalist Congress Party's Ajit Pawar changing sides. The Shiv Sena, Congress and Ajit Pawar's uncle and Nationalist Congress chief Sharad Pawar busy cobbling up an alliance, appeared shell-shocked as the country woke to the news that Devendra Fadnavis has taken oath as the Maharashtra Chief Minister with Ajit Pawar - whom he repeatedly accused of corruption - as his deputy. What followed were hectic meetings and claim from Sharad Pawar that his nephew acted on his own, misled the Governor and doesn't have the numbers. A number of MLAs who attended the oath ceremony, turned up at the NCP office soon after, indicating that the party chief was right.
Here are the Highlights on Maharashtra government formation:
Ajit Pawar, Devendra Fadnavis Discussed Farmers' Issues: CMO
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar today met and discussed on various measures for additional support and assistance to unseasonal rain affected farmers, the Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office official Twitter handle posted.
"Tomorrow it will be further discussed with the Chief Secretary and Finance Secretary," it added.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar leaves from the residence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Bus carrying Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs reaches Hotel Hyatt from Hotel Renaissance, where the MLAs were lodged earlier.
Ajit Pawar reaches residence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to meet him.
Ajit Pawar leaves from his residence
Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar earlier today praised his uncle and party chief Sharad Pawar as "Saheb" who is "our leader". Ajit Pawar, who was named Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday, said he has not left the NCP. He was removed as NCP Legislature Party leader on Saturday.
"I am in the NCP and shall always be in the NCP and Sharad Pawar Saheb is our leader. Our BJP-NCP alliance shall provide a stable government in Maharashtra for the next five years which will work sincerely for the welfare of the state and its people," Ajit Pawar tweeted.
NCP leaders on way to Hyatt hotel near Mumbai airport
NCP leaders have left in a bus from Renaissance hotel in Powai to Hyatt hotel near Mumbai airport.
The Shiv Sena, the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have all scrambled to guard their respective MLAs against offers to cross the aisle and support the BJP in a floor test that could be called by the end of the month.
Sources say the NCP leaders are being moved to Hyatt Hotel because there is too much disturbance at their current location (Renaissance Hotel); the Lalit and JW Marriott, where the Shiv Sena and the Congress have stashed their MLAs, respectively, are both nearby.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Dhananjay Munde says: "I am with party, I am with Pawar saheb (Sharad Pawar). Please don't spread rumours."
Senior congress leader Ahmed Patel arrives at JW Marriott Hotel, where Congress MLAs are currently lodged. Other party leaders Ashok Chavan, Balasaheb Thorat, Sushil Kumar Shinde, and Mallikarjun Kharge are present at the hotel, according to news agency ANI.
NCP MLA Dilip Bankar: Have always supported Sharad Pawar
NCP MLA Dilip Bankar, who was allegedly present at the swearing-in ceremony of Ajit Pawar, tells news agency ANI: "I have always been with Pawar sir (Sharad Pawar). I met him and told him that my child was ill, I had to go to Nashik, so I couldn't come to the meeting yesterday. We are supporting the NCP, and not the BJP."
Respect Sharad Pawar's Decision: Jayant Patil
NCP leader Jayant Patil asks Ajit Pawar to respect Sharad Pawar's decision to not go with BJP in Maharashtra and come back to the party fold.
"Ajit Pawar, you are the founder-member of NCP. We all grew up in Sharad Pawar's guidance. But Pawar saheb has taken a decision to not to go with BJP for welfare of Maharashtra citizens. Please respect this decision and come back," he says.
Sources say NCP MLAs will be moved to Hyatt hotel near Mumbai Airport.
Nationalist Congress Party leader Nawab Malik says: "50 MLAs are with us but not everyone is at the hotel, 4 MLAs who are kept somewhere by BJP people, are in constant touch with us and will definitely come back."
No Question Of Alliance With BJP: Sharad Pawar
NCP chief Sharad Pawar says: "There is no question of forming an alliance with @BJP4Maharashtra. NCP has unanimously decided to ally with @ShivSena and @INCMaharashtra to form the government. Shri Ajit Pawar's statement is false and misleading in order to create confusion and false perception among the people."
Will Always Be In NCP: Ajit Pawar
"I am in the NCP and shall always be in the NCP and @PawarSpeaks Saheb is our leader. Our BJP-NCP alliance shall provide a stable Government in Maharashtra for the next five years which will work sincerely for the welfare of the State and its people," Ajit Pawar has tweeted.
"There is absolutely no need to worry, all is well. However a little patience is required. Thank you very much for all your support," he adds.
Discussed strategy to pass floor test: BJP Leader
BJP leader Ashish Shelar, after the meeting of party legislators in Mumbai, says: "In this meeting we discussed and decided the strategy to comfortably pass our floor test. We also passed a resolution congratulating Devendra Fadnavis on taking oath as Chief Minister."
Shiv Sena's Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut meet Nationalist Congress Party's Supriya Sule and Rohit Pawar at Hotel Renaissance.
Uddhav Thackeray reaches Lalit Hotel to meet Shiv Sena MLAs
Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray along with Aditya Thackeray, arrives at Lalit Hotel where Shiv Sena MLAs are lodged.
Ajit Pawar thanks PM Modi, Amit Shah, Other BJP leaders
"Thank you Hon. Prime Minister @narendramodi ji. We will ensure a stable Government that will work hard for the welfare of the people of Maharashtra," Ajit Pawar has tweeted.
He also thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for Textile and Women and Child Development Smriti Irani and other BJP leaders including Rajnath Singh, Piyush Goyal and JP Nadda.
Ajit Pawar has also changed his Twitter bio to Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
NCP MLAs meeting underway in Mumbai
Meeting of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs chaired by party Chief Sharad Pawar, underway at Hotel Renaissance. Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut also present.
Shiv Sena sources tell news agency ANI party chief Uddhav Thackeray while addressing the NCP MLAs said: "Do not worry, this relationship will go long, our alliance will go a long way."
BJP legislators meet in Mumbai
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BJP State President Chandrakant Patil, and other party leaders at a meeting of the legislators of the party.
BJP government in Maharashtra according to people's mandate: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi says that the formation of Devendra Fadnavis-led government in Maharashtra is according to the wishes of people of the state.
"Devendra Fadnavis and BJP government in Maharashtra shows respect to people's mandate and is according to the wishes of Maharashtra people. It is not possible that you hijack 'Jantantra' (democracy) with 'Jugadtantra'," he says.
The Union Minister adds there should be a stable government, a government which is dedicated to the development and stressed that "whatever will happen will be good and what has happened is within the framework of the constitution."
Maharashtra Government Formation: Devendra Fadnavis arrives at BJP office
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis arrives at BJP office for a meeting with the legislators of the party.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal also arrives at BJP office for the meeting.
Maharashtra News: BJP leaders arrive for a meeting in Mumbai
BJP leaders arrive for a meeting of the legislators of the party, in Mumbai.
'Allow us to spend Sunday in peace': Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi
Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi tweeted saying "Allow us to spend Sunday in peace."
Maharashtra Government: When the floor test happens, it will become clear, says Randeep SurjewalaCongress's Randeep Surjewala said, "This is an illegitimate government which does not have majority... and this can be proven only by a floor test... "When the floor test happens, it will become clear that we have enough MLAs to support us."
"I am thankful to the court that they heard our petition even though it was a Sunday. Tomorrow, the matter will be heard again at 10:30 am. The Fadnavis government is illegitimate. Before any horse-trading happens, the floor test should happen," senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan told reporters after the Supreme Court hearing.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar leaves from his residence to meet NCP MLAs at the Renaissance Hotel.
Congress leader Anand Sharma on Supreme Court notice to Centre, Maharashtra government on Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena's plea: The midnight coup was unprecedented. There was no grave emergency b/w midnight&the day. It shows the intent. SC should go into all aspects otherwise it'll become a practice.
Sanjay Jha on today Supreme Court order
Sanjay Jha on today Supreme Court order
After the Supreme Court order, NCP's Nawab Malik says, "We welcome the Supreme Court order. All the MLAs will be back by evening. Sharad Pawar is coming here to meet the MLAs.
Maharashtra News: I Believe power comes and goes," says Supriya Sule's WhatsApp statusIn another Whatsapp status, NCP's Sharad Pawar daughter Supriya Sule said, "I Believe....power comes and goes....only relationships matter..."
The Supreme Court hearing to continue tomorrow
Supreme Court directs Maharashtra BJP to produce Governor's letter inviting BJP to form a government by tomorrow morning.
Solicitor General to produce letters of Governor tomorrow by 10:30: Top Court
We request Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to produce letters of Governor by tomorrow morning 10:30, says Supreme Court.
Arguments inside the Supreme Court on MaharashtraMukul Rohatgi: Two or three days time must be given. No tearing hurry. If they had support they should have formed the governemnt in 17 days. Governor action is immune and he must be satisfied. There are some aspects of individual discretion of President or Governor. Here Governor decision can't be under judicial review. The petition is directed against the Governor. There is complete bar on any action against Governor. Mukul / what Governor did is immune to judicial review.
Justice Ramana: These are issues already settled. The issue in this case to prove the majority.
Mukul Rohatgi: Petitioner wants SC to direct Governor to invite them.
Justice Ramana: Sky is the limit. Anything can be asked. We don't know what the Governor asked.
Mukul Rohatgi: That's why we want three days. They move suddenly at night disturb the court. - laughter in court. Everyone knows SC can't direct Governor to invite them. The house respects court and court must respect the house.
Mukul Rohatgi: Suppose if the house passes orders that Supreme Court must dispose all cases within two years - laughter in the house.
Justice Ramana: We respect the house.
Mukul Rohatgi: This petition is not maintainable . The petitioners were sleeping for three weeks. If Supreme Court issues notice we will file reply and two or three days time must be given to us to bring on record the facts. Even speaker can't Be directed by Supreme Court. We must be given time and we be allowed to spend Sunday.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appears for Centre, says combine does not have fundamental right to form govt, their plea can't be allowed.
The resolution says support of NCP to Ajit Pawar is illegal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi in courtAbhishek Manu Singhvi: What's the basis of the chief minister and deputy chief minister being sworn in. Ajit Pawar was expelled from the post. 54 is the total NCP strength. Today morning we said to Governor that Ajit Pawar is not a leader, this not a murder of democracy. The resolution says support of NCP to Ajit Pawar is illegal. The Supreme Court order in Karnataka case where protem speaker was directed to be appointed and floor test was directed to be televised. The best way to decide this is to have a floor test and the source of this is the SR Bommai judgment. The idea to hold a quick floor test is to prevent horse-trading.
Sharad Pawar going to meet his MLAs at the Mumbai hotel shortly, says NCP's Nawab Malik.
The pre-poll alliance broke down, efforts were on to stich post-poll alliance of three parties: Kapil Sibal Tells Supreme Court hearing Maharashtra case.
Kapil Sibal pushes for immediate floor test in Maharashtra
"Governor's action not only bizarre, but also appears that he was acting under direct instructions. if they believe they have the confidence of the House, then they should be asked to hold floor test today itself," Kapil Sibal said.
Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar were sworn in a bizarre manner, Governor was acting under direct instructions of Delhi, Kapil Sibal tells Supreme Court. He terms as bizarre, revocation of President's rule without cabinet meeting. Act of Governor recommending revocation of President's rule ''smacks'' of bias.
Kapil Sibal: At 8am, a government was sworn in with Devendra Fadnavis as Cheif Minister and Ajit Pawar. Whether the Government had majority is shrouded in mystery. None of the documents are on public record. I have not seen the event, which is bizarre. Governor recommended for revocation of President's Rule. Swearing-in took place. No invitation. Nothing is public. Nothing known to us. The act of governor smacks of bias, malafide, violation of all norms of Supreme.
Kapil Sibal in Supreme Court, for Shiv Sena: The majority is 145 seats in the state. Pre-poll alliance comes first. The pre poll alliance broke down. Now, we are relying on post-poll alliance.
Kapil Sibal is laying down a timeline ever since the Maharashtra election results came out. Mr Sibal says, "I apologise for making court to sit on Sunday.There are 288 members. 145 is the majority mark. Governor initially called the BJP. But they could not prove majority. In the formation of government, Governor has discretion. But the discretion has to be exercised as per the judgments of the Supreme Court and Constitutional conventions."
Congress leader Kapil Sibal begins argument in Supreme Court.
Judges Arrive in the Courtroom
The bench of Justices Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna has assembled in the court as the hearing begins.
Maharashtra News: Our all 44 MLAs are safe at the right place, Ashok ChavanCongress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan says, "Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress have the number. Many MLAs who were led astray have come back. Rest of them will also come back. Our all 44 MLAs are safe at the right place.We need not worry about anything. I met Pawar saheb. I have been told that the letter of the MLAs was misused by Ajit Pawar, the MLAs of Pawar saheb(Sharad Pawar) have denied giving any kind of support through that letter, they say their letter was misused."
Maharashtra Goevrnment: Kapil Sibal arrive at Supreme Court
Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala, NCP leader and lawyer Majeed Memon, Kapil Sibal arrive for the hearing at the Supreme Court. Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan is also present at the Court.
Maharashtra: Ajit Pawar has committed a mistake, says Nawab Malik NCP leader Nawab Malik said, "Ajit Pawar has committed a mistake. Efforts are being made since yesterday to make him understand, he has not given any indication so far. It will be better if he realises his mistake. By this evening all the MLAs of our party will come back to us. Devendra Fadnavis ji will not be able to prove majority on the floor of the House, we demand him that he tenders his resignation."
Maharashtra chief minister: Dilip Walse Patil reaches Ajit Pawar's residence
NCP MLA Dilip Walse Patil reaches Maharashtra Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar's residence to meet him.
BJP leader Ashish Shelar said, "We have taken this step for the farmers of Maharashtra who are suffering. The things that we have learnt from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Baba Saheb Ambedkar is what we are going to implement. We assure you that we will deliver a stable government under Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis. For those who say that this happened in the night, we want to say it happened early in the morning and we are early risers."
"Can prove majority within 10 mintues," said sanjay Raut.
Maharashtra: 'NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena Will Form Govt 100%', Chhagan Bhujbal
NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said," 49-50 MLAs of the party are with us right now, 1-2 are coming too. All the MLAs have been kept together. NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena government will be formed in Maharashtra, 100%."
"Ajit Pawar took false documents to Raj Bhawan yesterday and the governor accepted those documents. Even if today, Governor asks us to prove the majority, we can do it right now. 49 NCP MLAs are with us," said Sanjay Raut.
Maharashtra: 165 MLAs with Sena-Congress-NCP, says Sanjay RautSanjay Raut said, "Sharad Pawar is a national leader. If BJP is trying to form a government, it will not happen. It is a wrong step taken by BJP and Ajit Pawar. 165 MLAs are with Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP."
Maharashtra News: "Values will eventually win," says Supriya Sule's WhatsApp statusIn another Whatsapp status, NCP's Sharad Pawar daughter Supriya Sule said, Good morning.... values will eventually win...honesty and hard work never goes waste...that path is harder but sustains long term."
Maharashtra news: Baban Shinde arrives at Sharad Pawar's residence
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Baban Shinde arrives at NCP Chief Sharad Pawar's residence in Mumbai. He did not attend the NCP Legislative Party Meeting yesterday.
Maharashtra chief minister: Mukul Rohatgi to Appear for Maharashtra BJP Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi to appear for Maharashtra BJP in the Supreme Court today. The Top court will take up the matter at 11.30am and hear the joint plea of Shiv Sena, NCP and the Congress parties against the decision of Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari inviting Devendra Fadnavis to form the government in the state yesterday.
Maharashtra: Congress MLAs shifted to JW Marriott HotelCongress shifted its MLAs to the JW Marriott Hotel in Andheri, Mumbai to prevent possibilities of poaching by the BJP or Ajit Pawar's faction of the NCP.
Maharashtra government: Jayant patil, Sanjay Kakde arrives at Sharad Pawar's residenceBJP MP Sanjay Kakade and Jayant Patil arrives at NCP Chief Sharad Pawar's residence in Mumbai prior to the Supreme Court's hearing on the Maharashtra crisis.
Maharashtra News: NCP MLA "Missing" After Ajit Pawar's Coup In MaharashtraAn MLA from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has been reported "missing" since the BJP's Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the Maharashtra Chief Minister, along with NCP chief Sharad Pawar's nephew Ajit Pawar as his deputy, on Saturday morning. Shahpur MLA Daulat Daroda had on Friday night left for Raj Bhavan in south Mumbai to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Mr Fadnavis. He is incommunicado as of now, news agency PTI reported, adding former MLA Pandurang Barora has filed a missing person's report with the police.
Maharashtra: NCP MLAs taken to the Renaissance Hotel in MumbaiWith the political uncertainty, the Sena and the NCP have moved their MLAs to hotels. NCP MLAs were taken to the Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai's Powai in buses last night. The Shiv Sena has moved its MLAs to Lalit Hotel in Mumbai's Andheri. The Congress, meanwhile, has decided to move its MLAs to Bhopal, to a Congress-ruled state. However, independent MLA Rajkumar Patel told NDTV that eight independents are staying at a hotel in Goa where the Sena MLAs are.
Maharashtra Government: Ajit Pawar's coup a throwback to Sharad Pawar's action Ajit Pawar's decision to join hands with the BJP in an act of overnight rebellion bears a striking resemblance to his uncle Sharad Pawar's coup against a government formed by two Congress factions to become the state's youngest chief minister 41 years ago. In 1978, Sharad Pawar ran the rainbow coalition comprising the Janta Party and the Peasants Workers Party that lasted less than two years. Incidentally, this time he is trying to forge a similar alliance in the state by joining hands with the Congress and the Shiv Sena.
Maharashtra chief minister: Senior NCP leader made dramatic entry into meetingHours after the BJP's Devendra Fadnavis took oath as chief minister of Maharashtra with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)'s Ajit Pawar on Saturday, NCP chief Sharad Pawar called a meeting of his lawmakers to take stock of how many had switched loyalties. Dhananjay Munde, a senior NCP leader who was believed to be among the defectors along with Ajit Pawar, made a dramatic entry into the meeting held at the YB Chavan centre in Mumbai, the NCP headquarters.
Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut's tweeted this morning.
Maharashtra news: President's Rule in Maharashtra being called off at 5.47 am A three-judge bench of Justices NV Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna will hear the petition at 11:30 am today. The political twists of the day had started with President's Rule in Maharashtra being called off at 5.47 am with a sign-off from President Ram Nath Kovind. It was followed by the oath ceremony at 7.50 am - attended by a handful of NCP members, some of whom later claimed that they were tricked into attending the ceremony.
The Supreme Court will on Sunday morning hear a petition filed by the Shiv Sena, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party against the centre's move to end President's Rule and the Governor's move to invite Devendra Fadnavis to form government.
Supreme Court to hear plea todaySupreme Court Bench of Justices NV Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna to hear petition filed by NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress Sunday 11:30 am.