Maharashtra govt formation highlights: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. (File)
Shiv Sena MLAs on Thursday passed a resolution authorising party chief Uddhav Thackeray to take a “final decision” on government formation in Maharashtra. After the meeting of the Sena MLAs at Thackeray’s residence ‘Matoshree’, all the legislators were shifted to Rangsharda Hotel amid the ongoing uncertainty over government formation and fear of switching sides.
As the power tussle between the BJP and the Shiv Sena continues over the chief minister’s post, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil and Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar along with other senior party leaders met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to discuss “legal aspects” of the delay in the formation of a government in the state after the October 21 elections. Addressing reporters after the meeting, Patil said they informed the governor that the people of Maharashtra have given the mandate for Mahauti (Grand alliance).
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena remained adamant on the CM post. Sena MP Sanjay Raut said, “There will be Sena CM. There is no change in the stand of Sena. Uddhav Thackeray will not break the alliance. The Sena chief has been saying this since October 24. It is up to the BJP now.”
He also asked that if the people’s mandate was for the ‘Mahayuti’ (grand alliance), why the BJP was not staking claim to form the government. Raut, however, denied Sena MLAs being taken to a hotel.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar at a press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)
Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi party chief Prakash Ambedkar along with other party leaders met Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, today, to discuss the prevailing political situation in the state.
The Congress in Maharashtra on Thursday accused the BJP of trying to lure away newly-elected opposition MLAs and blamed the saffron party for delay in government formation in the state. State Congress president Balasaheb Thorat claimed the BJP has got in touch with MLAs from the opposition camp. He said the state and its farmers are suffering due to the ongoing tussle between the BJP and its ally Shiv Sena over the shape of the next government.
The wait for a new government in Maharashtra prolonged on Thursday, with the BJP not staking claim, while an aggressive Shiv Sena remained firm on rotation of the chief minister's post. Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, who hasn't blinked in the protracted battle of nerves with the senior alliance partner, was quoted as saying that the Amit Shah-led party should approach him only if ready to give Sena the CMs post.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Barve meets Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan.
Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday accused the BJP of delaying the process of government formation in Maharashtra and creating a situation for the imposition of President's rule. Addressing a press conference here, he said the BJP should declare that it is unable to form the government and then the Shiv Sena will take further steps. Reiterating the Shiv Sena's demand for sharing the chief minister's post, he said the state's CM will be from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party only. "You will know on the floor of the House. We have the numbers," he claimed.
The onus is on Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to act if no party stakes claim to form the new government in Maharashtra, a legislature expert said here on Thursday, two days before the present Assembly's term ends. If no party comes forward, the governor can invite the single largest party to form the government, said Anant Kalse, former secrertary of the state legislature. "If that party shows its inability to form the new government, then the governor will invite the second largest party to form the government," Kalse said. "The governor will have to carry out these modalities," Kalse told a Marathi TV channel.
Taking a dig at the BJP, Congress's national spokesperson Sanjay Jha said resorts in tourist spots near Mumbai such as Khandala and Matheran may soon get booked (for shifting MLAs there to guard them from poaching attempts). "But given the money they have, the BJP should also consider Maldives, Bahamas, Bermuda and Pattaya," he quipped. Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil claimed, without naming any party, that some MLAs were being offered inducements to cross over. "Some MLAs are being lured now. But in case anyone defects (to the BJP), other parties will come together and defeat him/her (in bypoll)," Patil said.
Security outside Hotel Rangsharda in Bandra after many Sena MLAs were shifted here after a meeting at Matoshree Bandra in Mumbai. (Express photos by Prashant Nadkar)
A banner supporting Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray as chief minister outside Matoshree in Bandra. (Express photos by Prashant Nadkar)
The Congress on Thursday questioned the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance's "moral right" to form government in Maharashtra if the Sena apprehends poaching of its MLAs by its senior ally. The Nationalist Congress Party, the other prominent opposition party, claimed that MLAs were being approached with inducements for switching camps. "Shiv Sena is alliance partner of BJP and part of Maha-yuti (grand alliance). If it is afraid that BJP will poach its MLAs, then we can very well understand how much morally corrupt the BJP is, and why we must save Maharashtra from them," said state Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant. "Does Mahayuti have the moral right to form government now?" Sawant tweeted.
After the 14th day of the deadlock over power sharing in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Thursday said he did not intend to break the alliance but expected BJP to keep its promise— of equal power sharing— made during the Lok Sabha elections. “I don’t want to break the alliance, but I want the BJP to implement what was decided during the Lok Sabha elections,” he told a meeting of Sena MLAs held in Mumbai today. Read More
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has summoned Advocate General Kumbhakoni to discuss legal implications if the impasse continues beyond November 8.
The Shiv Sena has been maintaining that in February this year, before the Lok Sabha polls, it was decided that there will be equal sharing of posts and responsibilities between the party and the BJP. While the Shiv Sena has been insisting on sharing the chief minister's post, the BJP has rejected it. Both the parties are locked in a tussle over the issue of the chief minister's post, resulting in a stalemate in government formation despite results of the October 24 Assembly polls giving the alliance a combined seat strength of 161, way past the 145 majority mark in the 288-member House.
Another MLA, on condition of anonymity, said Thackeray was "hurt" over the ongoing developments in the state. "He (Thackeray) feels issues could have been resolved by sitting across the table. This did not happen. Instead, what was decided was denied. Uddhavji said he did not want to break the alliance with the BJP. He only expects that what was decided be implemented," the legislator said. "He told us to wait and watch," the MLA added.
"It is necessary for all the MLAs to be together in the prevailing situation. Whatever decision Uddhavji takes will be binding on all of us," Sena MLA Sunil Prabhu said.
Thackeray chaired the meeting of all party MLAs for over an hour during which discussions were held on the political situation and the legislators reiterated that the formula of "equal sharing of posts and responsibilities" agreed upon before the Lok Sabha polls should be implemented. The party also appeared firm on its decision of sharing the chief minister's post for two-and-a-half-years each with the BJP.
Shiv Sena MLAs on Thursday passed a resolution, authorising party chief Uddhav Thackeray to take a "final decision" on government formation in Maharashtra. After the meeting of the Sena MLAs at Thackeray's residence 'Matoshree', all the legislators went to Rangsharda Hotel, close to the party chief's home in suburban Bandra, where they have been shifted amid the ongoing uncertainty over government formation and fear of switching sides.
Sanjay Raut said, "Shiv Sainiks never lies and keeps their word. Shiv Sainiks never backstabs anyone for power or other things. If you are considering yourself as Shiv Sainik, then they need to understand the sanskar of Shiv Sainik, said Raut on BJP minister Sudhir Mungantiwar's statement that Devendra Fadnavis is Shiv Sainik and he will be the Sena CM. he also said, "BJP should announce that they are not able to form the government. Then we will decide."
Raut said, "There will be Sena CM. There is no change in the stand of Sena. Uddhav Thackeray will not break the alliance. The Sena chief has been saying this since October 24 till date. It is upto the BJP."
Sanjay Raut also said, "In 2014 also, they had made a similar argument but there is a lot of difference since then. After November 8, we are working as 'sevaks' to the people of Maharashtra and our way of functioning is 'Saam daam dand bedh'. It is the philosophy which is for the state, and not for a political party." Raut also denied Sena MLAs being taken to a hotel.
Sanjay Raut said, "We are trying to find an alternative to make this alliance work, however no change in our stand. Uddhavji, you are on the right path and we are with you for the welfare of the state and its people. Maharashtra's mandate has come for the mahayuti. The gathbandhan does not come for a single party, but if BJP thinks they are the single largest party, then they should stake a claim."
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut is addressing a press conference after BJP leaders met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at raj Bhawan in Mumbai on Thursday.
Senior leader Sudhir Mungantiwar, Girish Mahajan, Babanrao Lonikar, Ashish Shelar are among those who met the Governor at Raj Bhawan on Thursday. (Express photos by Neeraj Priyadarshi)
Senior leader Sudhir Mungantiwar, Girish Mahajan, Babanrao Lonikar, Ashish Shelar are among those who met the Governor at Raj Bhawan on Thursday.
Patil said they informed the governor that the people of Maharashtra have given the mandate for Mahauti (Grand alliance). The BJP, Shiv Sena, RPI (A), Ryat Kranti, Rashtriya Samaj Party and Shiv Sangram were part of the pre-poll alliance. The Mahauti also was part of the State government for the last five years from 2014 to 2019.
The BJP delegation led by state president Chandrakant Patil met the governor on Thursday. After the meeting, Patil said we have apprised the governor about the current political developments and also discussed legal implications as the formation of government is taking time.
Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil addresses the media in Mumbai on Thursday. (Express photo/Nirmal Harindran)
"The public in Maharashtra wants the BJP and Shiv Sena to form the government. We met the Governor today and apprised him of the situation. We also considered the possible legal options in case there is no breakthrough. We will now have discussions with the top BJP leadership," state BJP chief Chandrakant Patil told reporters outside Raj Bhavan.
State BJP leaders have arrived at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai.
The Shiv Sena today hit out at BJP's smaller allies for their recent meeting with Governor Koshyari to express concern over the delay in government formation in the state. The allies, who do not even have MLAs, are not concerned about the state but their own position in the new government, an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' claimed. It also claimed that "certain elements" were luring MLAs with money, and reiterated that people of the state want the next chief minister to be from the Shiv Sena.
All the Shiv Sena MLAs have been asked to shift to Rang Sharada Hotel in Bandra (West) until further orders. Sena legislator Abdul Sattar said Uddhav Thackeray has asked all the MLAs to stay at the hotel for some time.
"There is no change in Uddhav ji stand. He is firm on the chief minister's post. Uddhav ji told us that 'if he wanted to accept anything less than than the CM's post, why would he waste 15 days," a Sena legislator said.
The meeting of the Shiv Sena MLAs at Matoshree Tower in Mumbai has concluded.
Maharashtra minister Mungantiwar said his party would not stake claim on Thursday to form government in the state. He also dubbed as "unfair" the talks that Shiv Sena MLAs may cross sides, amid the stalemate over government formation in the state. "We will not stake claim to form government today. We want to have a detailed discussion with the governor on various legal intricacies related to running the current government," Mungantiwar said.
Gadkari also said that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat shouldn't be linked to the government formation moves in Maharashtra. "It won't be appropriate to link the RSS chief to the goings on (over government formation)," he said.
"We will get Shiv Sena support, we are in talks with them," Gadkari asserted.
"No question of me returning to Maharashtra, I will continue to work in Delhi," Gadkari said.
Addressing reporters in Nagpur, Nitin Gadkari said, "The government must be formed under the chief ministership of Devendra Fadnavis. My meeting with Mohan Bhagwat has nothing to do with government formation."
Shiv Sena leaders arrive for a meeting at Matoshree Tower in Mumbai.
Maharashtra Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar today said his party is not in favour of forming a minority government in the state. Speaking to reporters, Mungantiwar said there should be no doubt about Chief Minister Fadnavis' "leadership and acceptance" across party lines. The BJP is against forming a minority government in Maharashtra," he was quoted as saying by PTI.
Tight security in place outside Matoshree Tower ahead of Shiv Sena's MLAs' meet on Thursday. (Express photo)
Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi Wednesday took a dig at the BJP saying people from “Delhi, Dhaka and Dubai” appear to be more interested than Maharashtra in who will become the next chief minister of the state. “If Maharashtra needs him (Devendra Fadnavis) as the CM, why are large volume of tweets from places outside of Maharashtra? Popular CM in Delhi, Dhaka and Dubai?!” Chaturvedi tweeted.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat will attend a book release function in Nagpur later today.
On supporting a Sena government, Pawar said that while Congress and NCP are allies and would take a decision jointly, he was not aware of Congress’s stand on the matter. He, however, added he doesn’t see the possibility of Congress and NCP forming a government as “we do not add up to even 100 seats”.
Pawar further said that he was not angling for the Maharashtra chief minister’s post. “I do not want to become the chief minister. After being the CM for four times, I don’t see the need for me to hold the post again. We do not have the mandate to form the government. If we had the numbers, we would not have waited for anyone.”
There had been speculation over the past few days that the NCP may prop a Sena government if the latter decided to break its alliance with the BJP. Second-rung NCP leaders like Nawab Malik had claimed that anything was possible in Maharashtra and the onus of taking the initiative lay with the Sena. Pawar, however, scotched all such rumours and said that he believed that BJP-Sena would finally come together. “BJP and Sena have been in an alliance for the last 25 years. I am sure that today or tomorrow, they will come together,” he added.
Amid the ongoing tussle between the BJP and Shiv sena, Sharad Pawar on Wednesday ruled out any role of the NCP in forming the next Maharashtra government and claimed that his party and ally Congress will work as a strong Opposition. “The BJP-Shiv Sena has been given the mandate to form the government and they should realise this responsibility and form the government quickly. The Congress and NCP have been asked to sit in the Opposition by the electorate and we will do our job as per the wishes of the people,” Pawar told mediapersons in Mumbai.
In case the stalemate continues, BJP is mulling its options. Ideally, the new government should be in place by November 9, when the term of the current Assembly ends. If there is no breakthrough by then, the BJP believes Fadnavis can continue to head a caretaker government for about 15 days, thus getting more time for government formation. The BJP is also prepared to form the government with its 105 MLAs, but would need to win a floor test quickly thereafter. Sources in the BJP said this would require all the party’s skills.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said that the BJP, the single largest party, should stake claim to form the government. “…BJP leaders are meeting the Governor tomorrow to stake claim to form the government… we have been demanding the same. The single largest party should stake claim to form the government and should form the government. If the BJP is going to submit a list of 145 legislators, we will be happy,” said Raut, adding that leaders from all parties have met the Governor so far.
Maintaining that the Sena leadership seems to be ready to let the BJP form the government without its support, the leader added: “The party leadership has considered all probabilities, including sitting in Opposition. Uddhavji will take a final call.”
“Uddhavji is firm on his stance. Negotiations can start if the BJP is ready to honour what it had promised us. Otherwise, there is no point in talks. The deadlock may end if the BJP agrees to Sena chief’s demand or it may not even end,” said a Sena leader.
Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is set to address a meeting of party legislators today. Party leaders indicated that the deadlock between the two parties would end only if the BJP agreed to this demand, and said they were also prepared not to be a part of the government. The leadership is also firm on its demand for equal power sharing when it came to other portfolios, which Sena said was decided while forging the saffron alliance before the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year.
Asked if he represented views of his party amid the logjam over government formation in the state, Raut said, "I put forth views of Uddhav Thackeray."
Raut also told reporters that there have been no talks yet between RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on government formation. Raut added that legislators of his party and the opposition Congress and NCP "would not cross sides". "There have been no talks yet between Bhagwat and Thackeray," the Rajya Sabha member said.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, on the other hand, dismissed reports that the party was shifting its MLAs to a resort. “There is no need for us to do this, our MLAs are firm in their resolve and committed to the party. Those who are spreading such rumours should worry about their MLAs first,” he told ANI.
Amid the ongoing political impasse, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil and Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar today will meet Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to convey the party’s decision to elect Devendra Fadnavis as its legislative leader and the chief ministerial candidate. Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, on the other hand, is set to address a meeting of party legislators today. Follow our LIVE blog for all the latest updates.