Mumbai, November 25: In a show of strength, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Shiv Sena and the Congress assembled their MLAs at Mumbai's Grand Hyatt hotel on Monday. NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray and senior Congress leaders including Malikarjun Kharge and Balasaheb Thorat were present with legislators. The three parties have submitted a letter with signatures of 162 MLAs at Raj Bhawan, staking claim to form the government in Maharashtra. Sharad Pawar Says 'Party Will Decide' When Asked About Ajit Pawar's Removal From NCP.
Addressing legislators, Uddhav Thackeray said that the fight was not just for power but also for truth. "Our fight is not just for power, our fight is for Satyamev Jayate. The more you try to break us, the more we will unite," Thackeray told assembled legislators. In his speech, Sharad Pawar said that the 'Maha Vikas Aghadi', as the alliance of NCP-Shiv Sena-Congress is called, is ready to prove majority on the floor of the House.
"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 the floor test, I will bring more than 162 MLAs. This is not Goa, this is Maharashtra," Sharad Pawar asserted. Legislators were also administrated oath of loyalty to their respective parties. "I swear that under the leadership of Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray & Sonia Gandhi, I will be honest with my party. I won't get lured by anything. I will not do anything which will benefit BJP," MLAs pledged.
Ahead of the gathering of MLAs, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut invited Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to "come and watch" the show of strength of the three parties. "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," Raut tweeted. Maharashtra Government Formation: Supreme Court to Pass Order on Floor Test at 10.30 AM Tomorrow.
In an early morning twist, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and NCP leader Ajit Pawar took oath as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively on November 23. This happened a few hours after the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress finalised their alliance to form a government.
The government formation by the BJP along with Ajit Pawar come under the Supreme Court's scrutiny with the Centre being asked to produce before the court letters of the Governor inviting Fadnavis as well as the communication of the BJP leader staking his claim. On Monday, the Supreme Court reserved its order of petition by the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress seeking a floor test for tomorrow.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 25, 2019 07:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).