Stung by ‘Maha’ shocker, Sena moves SC against ‘BJP’s illegal usurpation of power’

WATCH | Fadnavis takes oath as CM, NCP’s Ajit Pawar as his deputy

The petitioners alleged that the Governor acted in a “partisan manner” and has made a mockery of the high office of the Governor. “It is respectfully submitted that the Governor’s actions between the intervening night of 22.11.2019 and 23.11.2019 culminating to the swearing in on the 23.11.2019 are a text book example of the Governor acting at the behest of a political party in power at the Centre,” they said in the petition.

EXPLAINED | In Maharashtra drama, the key legal provision — Anti-defection law

In their submission, the three parties also sought a direction to the governor to invite them to form the government under the leadership of Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray saying they have the support of more than 144 MLAs. They further prayed for an “immediate floor test within 24 hours so as to avoid further horse trading and illegal maneuvers to somehow cobble up a majority from the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi)”.

In a dramatic turn of events, Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for a second term with Ajit Pawar as his deputy. The early morning scenes at the Governor’s office came as a surprise for the Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena, which had reached a consensus the previous night to form the government.

ALSO READ | Ajit Pawar sacked as legislative party leader, right to issue whip revoked: NCP

In the 288-member Assembly, the BJP has 105 MLAs, the Shiv Sena 56, the NCP 54 and the Congress 44. The majority mark is 145.

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