New Delhi, November 12: Reacting to Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's recommendation of President's rule in the state, the Congress said that the Governor made "mockery of the Constitution". "Governor Koshyari has committed a grave travesty of the democracy and made a mockery of the Constitutional process in recommending President’s Rule in Maharashtra," Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted. Know How State Will Be Governed by President Ram Nath Kovind Through Governor.

In a series of tweets, Surjewala also asked why Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari didn't invite the grand old party to form government in Maharashtra, listing "violations" in the procedure. His sharp response came moments after Governor Koshyari and Union Cabinet recommended President's rule in Maharashtra. President Ram Nath Kovind subsequently gave its assent to the file to impose President's Rule in the state to him.

“Four grave violations of the Constitutional Scheme, as expressed in SR Bommai judgment, stand out. In absence of any single party having majority in Maharashtra, Gov should have called; 1. Single largest pre poll alliance i.e BJP-Shiv Sena together; Then 2. Second largest post poll alliance i.e Congress-NCP; 3. In case Gov called individual parties, why did he not call INC? And above all; 4. Why the completely arbitrary allotment of time? 48 hours to BJP, 24 hrs to Sena & not even 24 hours to NCP, before the Presidents Rule,” Surjewala added.

On Sunday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced that it would not form government in Maharashtra. In the 288-member assembly, the BJP emerged as the single largest party winning 105 seats, and along with its longtime ally, Shiv Sena was in a comfortable position to form 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 has since been trying to form government with the help of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress, which had won 54 and 44 seats respectively. After BJP, Koshyari invited Shiv Sena to form government on Sunday. The Shiv Sena, however, could not submit a letter of support from 145 MLAs during their 24-hour time period. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party had requested more time, however, the request was turned down.

Later, Koshyari invited NCP to form the government in the state on Monday evening giving a deadline of 8 pm on Tuesday to demonstrate its support.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 12, 2019 06:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).