Maharashtra Government Formation: Devendra Fadnavis Gets 24 Hours to Submit Letter of Support, Supreme Court to Pass Judgment on Floor Test Tomorrow

New Delhi, November 24: The Supreme Court on Sunday directed the Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, to submit two letters; 1) Governor's letter inviting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form a government in Maharashtra 2) letter of support submitted by Fadnavis. The apex court will examine the two documents tomorrow and then pass an order regarding the floor test in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress Has Support of 164 MLAs, Says Sanjay Raut After Maharashtra Stunner by BJP.

"Issue involved is the Governor's decision dated 23/11/19 inviting them to form government is unconstitutional. For the adjudication of this issue we request Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to produce the two letters by tomorrow morning 10:30," read the Supreme Court's order. The Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine sought quashing of Maharasthra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's decision to invite BJP's Fadnavis to form the government. Sharad Pawar vs Ajit Pawar in Maharashtra: List of ‘Rebel’ MLAs Who Returned to NCP’s Fold.

"The petitioners are praying for an immediate floor test within 24 hours so as to avoid further horse-trading and illegal manoeuvres to somehow cobble up a majority from the Maha Vikas Aghadi," said the petition. After hearing arguments from all four parties, the top court also issued a notice to Centre, State, Devendra Fadnavis and NCP leader Ajit Pawar.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Shiv Sena, questioned the manner in which Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari acted in inviting the BJP to form the government in Maharashtra. Terming Governor's decision as "bizarre", Sibal said: "The court should order floor test today itself. If BJP has a majority, let them prove in assembly. If they don’t, let us stake the claim." He added that the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine can prove majority tomorrow.

Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Congress and NCP, argued that any letter of support given by Ajit Pawar was invalid and misleading. Singhvi informed the top court that the NCP has removed Ajit Pawar as its leader in the House. "How can Ajit Pawar be Deputy CM when 41 NCP MLAs have said that we are with NCP and we don't recognise him as NCP leader anymore," he argued.

Appearing on behalf of Maharashtra BJP, Mukul Rohatgi argued that the court cannot examine the Governor's decision. He also asked why the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress did not form a government in so many days. "There is no need for court to pass order today. There was no illegality in the Governor's decision. Court should not pass an order to fix date of the floor test. The three parties here have no fundamental rights," Rohatgi said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said he did not receive any order from the state government. He further questioned the petition on technical grounds.

Maharashtra Governor Koshyari on Saturday morning administered the oath of office to Fadnavis as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra and NCP leader Ajit Pawar as his deputy. The swearing-in ceremony took everyone by surprise as the state was under the President's rule. It was later revealed that the notification revoking President's rule was issued around 5:45 am, while the swearing-in ceremony of Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar took place around 8 am.

The BJP emerged as the single largest party in Maharashtra assembly winning 105 seats, and along with its longtime ally, Shiv Sena was in a comfortable position to form a government. The Shiv Sena, however, with 56 legislators, refused to join the BJP in forming a government, insisting on rotational chief ministership. The Shiv Sena had since been trying to form a government with the help of the NCP and Congress, which had won 54 and 44 seats respectively.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 24, 2019 12:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).