D-Day today — Governor sets stiff deadlines for parties

The Governor, who set aside protocol to address press meets flanked by the party leaders after their respective meetings “so that there’s no confusion,” said both the Sena-BJP and the Congress had claimed they were in a position to form government.

“The Sena-BJP has said it has the support of 145 and the Congress has claimed support of 148 MLAs. Since both have claimed majority, I have asked them to submit lists of legislators by tomorrow to enable me to take adecision. Of course, I will exercise my discretion and verify the lists before arriving at a decision,” Alexander added.

In the event, some names in both lists are common, Alexander said, he would personally verify signatures and, if need be, meet the MLAs personally to satisfy himself on their real position.

Surprisingly, the ticklish question of who should be called by the Governor first, did not attract much controversy today. Though the Congress had, just yesterday, reiterated its stand that it should be invited first, it accepted Alexander’s decision without a murmur.

“Though the Congress emerged as the single largest party, I have decided to call the Sena-BJP combine first to prove its majority since it was a pre-poll alliance,” Alexander said. “Since no party secured a clear majority, I used my discretion. I am quite capable of handling the situation, fairly, correctly and with full transparency,” he declared.

The Governor said, as per the legal requirements, the next session of theAssembly has to be convened before October 22. If that deadline was to be met, he, as the constitutional head of the state, needed to initiate the procedure of formation of government immediately. “In any case, the new government has to be formed on Saturday or latest by Sunday morning to complete the legal formalities if the session has to start from October 22,” he said.

When asked if there was a possibility of the Assembly being put under suspended animation, Alexander said under the Constitution there were several options, none of which, he hoped, he would have the occasion to use.Buoyed by the invitation from the Governor, the Sena and BJP, which were squabbling bitterly till late Thursday night, were at their friendly best again. Chief Minister Narayan Rane and Munde claimed that there were no differences between them now and they would submit a list of 145 legislators to the Governor on Saturday morning. “Whatever I spoke against Munde during the last two days, was part of politics. Now it shouldnot be given much importance, since we have come together,” Rane said. On the other hand, Munde, who had specifically stated that he would not accompany Rane to the Governor till the combines secured a the support of 145 MLAs, said he agreed to accompany Rane since he was convinced that the alliance was in a position to do so.

But it was the Congress which was on a more solid wicket, notwithstanding the perceived advantage to the Sena-BJP in being invited first. MPPC chief Prataprao Bhosale said since they had struck a deal with the NCP it would not be difficult to muster the numbers. Unlike the Sena-BJP, the Congress has indicated to the Governor from where it hopes to get support. “Besides 75 of our own, we will secure support of NCP (58), left front, Janata Dal, RPI, Bahujan Mahasangh and PWP (all of which have 15 MLAs) to take out tally to 145,” said a confident Bhosale.

When asked if the NCP had accepted the Congress’ power-sharing proposal, Bhosale said he expected them to as his party hasconceded the NCP’s major demands. “Their major demands have been accepted. Minor disputes will be resolved before taking the oath,” Bhosale added.

The NCP’s confidence comes from the fact that the dynamics of number garnering for the Sena-BJP seemed that more much difficult because even if the alliance manages to get the backing of all the 12 Independents (which is unlikely) and some splinter parties, it falls well short of the 145 figure. And it did not seem to make much headway in splitting the NCP. The key, however, is with Sharad Pawar. If he shoots down the deal with the NCP (discussion between both the parties were going on at the time of filing the report), the scene could be quite different tomorrow.

The numbers game