Maharashtra Power Tussle Gets More Dramatic: From Devendra Fadnavis Taking Oath As CM to Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena Filing Writ Petition, Here's How Politics Unfolded in The State

Mumbai, November 23: After weeks of political stalemate in Maharashtra, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday formed the government with the support of rebel MLAs of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar. Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari invited Devendra Fadnavis to take oath as the next CM of the state. Along with Fadnavis, Sharad Pawar’s Nephew Ajit Pawar was also sworn in as the Deputy CM of Maharashtra. ‘Modi Hain to Mumkin Hai’: Devendra Fadnavis Assures Stable Government in Maharashtra With Ajit Pawar-Led NCP.

The BJP formed government in the state a day after the Congress and the NCP backed Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray as the CM of Maharashtra. The Governor has given seven days-time to Fadnavis for the floor test. Meanwhile, the NCP said that it did not endorse Ajit’s decision to support the BJP. Shashi Tharoor Uses English Word 'Snollygoster' to Describe Ajit Pawar, Know Meaning Here.

Here is the Timeline of Events Unfolded on Intervening Night of November 22-23:

Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena Backed Uddhav Thackeray as CM:

After the meeting which was held on Friday, the Congress and the NCP proposed Uddhav Thackeray for leading the coalition government as the Chief Minister. Speaking to reported, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar had said that all the three parties had consensus on the name of Thackeray as CM. The three parties were scheduled to make a formal announcement on Saturday.

Devendra Fadnavis Takes Oath as Maharashtra CM:

A day after the Congress and the NCP backed Thackeray as the CM candidate, the BJP formed the government in the state. NCP MLAs led by Ajit Pawar also extended support to the saffron party. In a low profile ceremony, Fadnavis took oath as the Maharashtra CM, while Ajit was sworn in as the Deputy CM.

Sharad Pawar-Uddhav Thackeray Press Conference:

Hours after the swearing-in ceremony of Fadnavis, Sharad Pawar held a press conference. At the media briefing, he said that 8-11 MLAs had supported the BJP. During his interaction with reporters, Senior Pawar also said that the NCP did not endorse Ajit’s decision of extending support to the saffron party.

Most of The Rebel NCP MLAs Return:

On Saturday evening, a total of 50 NCP MLAs attended the meeting called by Sharad Pawar. Amongst the rebel MLAs returned are Sanjay Bhansod, Dilip Banker, Sunil Shelke and Balasaheb Patil. Now only three MLAs along with Ajit Pawar are supporting the BJP.

Uddhav’s Meeting With Shiv Sena MLAs:

Thackeray held meeting with his party MLA’s at Mumbai’s Lalit Hotel in the evening. After the meeting, the Shiv Sena chief exuded confidence in forming the government in Maharashtra in alliance with the NCP and Congress. Thackeray also assured that the Chief Minister would be from Shiv Sena.

Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena Files Writ Petition Against Governor’s Decision:

Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court on Saturday against Maharashtra Governor’s decision to invite Fadnavis for taking oath as the CM of the state. All the three parties demanded an urgent hearing of the petition.

Ajit Pawar Removed as NCP Legislative Party Head:

The NCP on Saturday evening removed Ajit Pawar as the Legislative head of the party. Jayant Patil has now become a new whip of the NCP. Reports also surfaced that Sharad Pawar had also invited Ajit for a meeting after resigning from the post of deputy CM.

Supreme Court to Hear Writ Petition on Sunday:

The top court will hear the petition filed by Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP at 11:30 am on Sunday. Justice NV Ramana, Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Sanjiv Khanna will hear the plea.

The BJP and the Shiv Sena had contested the recently concluded Maharashtra assembly elections in an alliance. The BJP won 105 seats, while the Shiv Sena bagged 56 seats. The Congress and the NCP clinched 44 and 54 seats respectively. The political stalemate erupted in Maharashtra after the BJP rejected Shiv Sena’s demand for equal power-sharing, including the CM post for 2.5 years. As no party was able to stake claim to form a government, the President’s Rule had been imposed in the state.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 23, 2019 11:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).