New Delhi, November 13: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday broke silence on Maharashtra political stalemate. A day after the imposition of the President’s Rule in Maharashtra, lashing out at the Shiv Sena, Amit Shah said that the saffron party had made it clear before the elections only that Devendra Fadnavis would become the Chief Minister if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena alliance comes to power. Maharashtra Government Formation Struggle: Shiv Sena Intensifies Efforts to From Alliance With NCP, Congress; Uddhav Thackeray Says 'Talks in Right Direction'.

Rubbishing Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s claims, the Home Minister said, “No one objected back then. Now they have come up with new demands which are not acceptable to us.” Speaking on the governor’s rule in the state, Shah said, “Before this, in no state was so much time given, 18 days were given. Governor invited parties only after assembly tenure ended.” He even stated that any party or alliance who have figures can approach the governor any time. He also slammed Congress leader Kapil Sibbal for his claims that the grand old party was denied chance of forming the government.

Amit Shah's Statement:

Last week, Thackeray had claimed that he was promised that Shiv Sena would get equal power-sharing including the CM post for 2.5 years in front of Fadnavis and Shah. However, the BJP rejected these claims. President's Rule Imposed in Maharashtra by Ram Nath Kovind After Parties Fail to Form Government.

ANI's Tweet:

On Tuesday, the President’s Rule was imposed in Maharashtra after all parties failed to form the government in the state. In his report, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari mentioned that the no political party in the state has required numbers to form the government. President's Rule in Maharashtra: Know How State Will Be Governed by President Ram Nath Kovind Through Governor.

The Governor on Saturday invited the single largest party BJP to stake claim. However, the saffron party turned down the invite. On Monday, the second largest party Shiv Sena was called by the governor. Koshiyari rejected its request of granting 48-hour time to form the government.

The political crisis erupted in the state after the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance fell apart. The Shiv Sena decide not to support the saffron party after the latter rejected its demand for equal power-sharing. The BJP bagged 105 seats in the assembly elections, while the Shiv Sena won 56 seats.  After fall-out with the BJP, the Shiv Sena is trying to make an alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 13, 2019 07:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).