Maharashtra govt formation highlights: No headway in govt formation as BJP, Sena refuse to budge

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."