SC seeks governor’s letters inviting BJP to form govt in Maharashtra

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The political drama in Maharashtra continues even as the government formation in the state has come under Supreme Court’s scrutiny.

The Apex Court yesterday asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, to place before it by 10.30 this morning the Governor’s letters recommending revocation of President’s Rule and inviting Devendra Fadnavis to form government in Maharashtra. A bench of Justices N V Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna in an unprecedented special hearing on a Sunday, rejected the three party combine plea seeking to direct the floor test within 24 hours. The court said this issue would be dealt with only after perusing the two letters.

Meanwhile, a war of words broke out between newly sworn in Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and NCP Chief Sharad Pawar amidst parties trying to keep their flock together. While, Ajit Pawar tweeted that he is with the NCP and Sharad Pawar remains his leader asserting that the BJP-NCP alliance will work sincerely for the welfare of the state and its people, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar dismissed his nephew’s statement as false and misleading. The senior Pawar said, his party will ally with Congress and Shiv Sena to form the government.

Ajit Pawar met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis late last night and held closed-door discussions.

Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray held a series of meetings with their MLAs to reassure them of their prospects, BJP leader and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met his party’s MLAs to finalise their strategy for the impending floor test.

Congress leader Ashok Chavan has alleged that BJP is trying to indulge in horse-trading. He said that BJP is trying to gain more time from the Supreme Court.

NCP claims that 50 out of 54 of its MLAs have confirmed their support for senior Pawar and will vote against the Fadnavis government during the floor test. All eyes are now on 13 Independents and 16 MLAs from smaller parties, who hold the key to decide which way the floor test will swing. The BJP, which emerged the largest party in the October 21 Assembly polls with 105 seats, claims to have the support of 14 MLAs, taking its tally effectively to 119. The Shiv Sena, which is in talks with the Congress-NCP to form a government, claims to have the support of seven MLAs apart from its own flock of 56. It is not certain how many MLAs, if any, are backing NCP leader Ajit Pawar who joined hands with the BJP on Saturday. The timeline of the floor test is likely to be decided by the Supreme Court today.