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Tue, 26 November 2019
Will come back, says Amrtua Fadnavis
Timeline Refresh
23:38 Will come back, says Amrtua Fadnavis
Amruta Fadnavis, wife of outgoing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, cited an Urdu couplet on Tuesday to say that she will come back.
Incidentally, 'Mee Parat Yein' (I will come back) was her husband's refrain during the assembly poll campaign, which came in for ridicule later when government formation proved to be far from a cake-walk for the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Amruta, a banker by profession, tweeted from @fadnavis_amruta: 'Palat me aaungi shakhon Pe Khushbuye lekar, khija ki jad mein hoon, mausam jara badal ne de.'
The couplet can be translated as 'I will come back with fresh fragrance...let the season change a bit'.
'Thanks Mah for memorable 5yrs as your Wahini. The love showered by you will always make me nostalgic! I tried to perform my role to best of my abilities-with desire only to serve & make a positive diff,' she added.
'Wahini' in Marathi is a common way of addressing a brother's wife. -- PTI
23:21 JNU fee hike: HRD Ministry-appointed panel submits report
A panel appointed by the Human Resource Development Ministry to look into ways to restore normal functioning of the Jawaharlal Nehru University submitted its report on Tuesday and its recommendations are being studied, officials said.
The three-member committee, comprising former UGC chairman V S Chauhan, AICTE chairman Anil Sahasrabudhe and UGC secretary Rajnish Jain, was set up on November 18 to recommend ways to end the impasse between varsity administration and students over a hostel fee hike.
The students have been agitating against the hike for over four weeks.
"The three-member panel has submitted its report and the ministry is studying the recommendations," a senior official of the Ministry of Human Resource Development said.
The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) had on Sunday set up an internal high-level committee for resolution of the ongoing conflict.
The seven-member committee had on Monday recommended that concession in utility and service charges be given to all university students and not only to those belonging to below poverty line (BPL) category.
The students' agitation over the hike in hostel fee escalated on November 11 when thousands of them clashed with police outside the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) premises, where the university's convocation was held.
Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank was stranded for over six hours at the venue.
The JNU's Executive Council had then announced a partial rollback of the hike for students belonging to the BPL category and not availing any scholarships.
However, the protesters dubbed it as an 'eyewash'.
A week later, students staged a march from the JNU campus to the HRD Ministry but were stopped at multiple locations and finally outside the Safdarjung Tomb by police.
The protesters alleged that police personnel baton-charged and manhandled them, including a blind student, a charge which was denied by the force. -- PTI
22:19 Ajit meets uncle Pawar at Silver Oak
A meeting is underway between Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar, and Supriya Sule at Silver Oak, the residence of Sharad Pawar.
Earlier, Ajit Pawar arrived at Silver Oak from his brother Sriniwas Pawar's residence. -- ANI
22:07 Uddhav stakes claim to form alliance govt
Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress combine's Chief Ministerial nominee Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday night reached Raj Bhavan and staked claim to form government in Maharashtra.
Thackeray, who heads the Shiv Sena, was accompanied by legislature party leaders of the Sena, the NCP and the Congress, a Sena leader said.
"We are submitting a joint statement of staking claim for government formation before the governor. We will also produce proof of the support of all the MLAs of the three parties to the governor as a part of the mandatory procedure," said the leader. -- PTI
IMAGE: Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray being greeted by NCP chief Sharad Pawar after he was chosen as the nominee for Maharashtra chief ministers post by Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance, during a meeting in Mumbai, on Tuesday. Photograph: PTI Photo
21:47 Uddhav thanks 'Sonia ji', remembers father
After being elected as the leader of 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' of the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray evoked memories of his father and late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
He also thanked Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
"I want to thank Sonia ji also. Parties with different ideologies have come together... those who were friends for 30 years, did not trust us. But those against whom we fought for 30 years have trusted me," Thackeray said.
Common people should think of this government as their own, he said.
"The fight is not personal...my government will not work in a vindictive way," Thackeray said.
Without naming the former ally Bharatiya Janata Party with whom the Sena had a bitter falling out after contesting the October 21 assembly elections together, Thackeray said he would not align with those who speak lies.
Speaking on the occasion, NCP chief Sharad Pawar eulogised Bal Thackeray, his bitter adversary in politics but a dear friend in personal life. -- PTI
20:45 Uddhav to go Raj Bhavan shortly to stake claim
Nawab Malik of Nationalist Congress Party: "Uddhav Thackeray was unanimously elected as the leader. He'll definitely be the CM.
"He'll now go to Raj Bhavan and stake his claim to form government.
"If the Governor accepts the claim, swearing-in ceremony will be held on December 1 at 5 pm at Shivaji Park (in Mumbai).
"The cabinet will also be sworn-in on the same day." -- ANI
20:21 Uddhav to be sworn-in as Maha CM on December 1
Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar says, "Three representatives of 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' will meet the Governor today.
"Swearing in ceremony to be held at Shivaji Park, Mumbai on December 1."
Shiv Sena chief and CM candidate of 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' Uddhav Thackeray said, "I had never dreamed of leading the state. I would like to thank Sonia Gandhi and others. We are giving a new direction to country by keeping faith on each other."
He said he is 'ready to answer all questions raised by Devendra Fadnavis'.
"I am not scared of anything. Lies are not part of Hindutva. When needed you hug us and when not needed you leave us. You tried to keep us away," Thackeray said.
"I accept the responsibility given by all of you. I'm not alone but you all are CM with me. What has happened today is the actual democracy. Together we will wipe off the tears of farmers in the state," he said. -- ANI
19:57 Maha Vikas Aghadi elects Uddhav as CM candidate
Joint meeting of MLAs of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress proceeds at the Trident Hotel in Mumbai.
Sena leader Eknath Shinde moves resolution to form 'Maha Vikas Aghadi', the alliance of the three parties.
NCP's Nawab Malik and Congress' Nitin Raut second the resolution.
The resolution has been passed by all MLAs.
Sena's Anil Desai says 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' will have a Coordination Committee.
NCP's Jayant Patil says 'we all want Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray to lead our alliance as the chief minister'.
Congress' Balasaheb Thorat endorses the resolution moved by Patil, proposing Uddhav Thackeray's name as the CM.
Resolution proposing Thackeray's name as the CM candidate and leader of 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' passed unanimously by all MLAs. -- ANI
Resolution proposing Thackeray's name as the CM candidate and leader of 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' passed unanimously by all MLAs. -- ANI
19:19
MLAs of the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress assemble for the joint meeting at Hotel Trident in Mumbai. -- ANI
18:54 Thackerays arrive at Trident Hotel
Aaditya Thackeray and Tejas Thackeray arrive for the Sena-NCP-Congress MLAs' meet at the Trident Hotel.
18:49 Uddhav Thackeray preps for Maharashtra lead role
Uddhav Thackeray will be Maharashtra's new chief minister, a senior leader of his Shiv Sena announced today after rapid changes triggered by a Supreme Court order to the BJP's Devendra Fadnavis to prove his majority in a floor test tomorrow.
MLAs from the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party and Shiv Sena have arrived at the Trident Hotel in Mumbai where Thackeray will be selected to head the alliance.
Sources say he will have a deputy each from the Congress and the NCP. The two names in circulation for Deputy Chief Minister are Balasaheb Thorat (Congress) and Jayant Patil (NCP).
"Uddhav Thackeray will be elected the leader of the three parties to stake claim for government formation at the evening meeting scheduled to be held at a hotel. The three parties will submit a joint statement to the governor to stake claim for government formation," Sanjay Raut.
Uddhav Thackeray, the chief of the Shiv Sena, has never been in the government and has not contested elections either. His son Aaditya Thackeray was the first of the Thackeray clan to ever contest elections and win.
18:33 'We love you Ajit Dada'
Nationalist Congress Party workers seen holding posters stating "Ajit Dada, we love you" in Mumbai.
Ajit Pawar resigned as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, earlier today.
18:15 Maha Protem Speaker convenes assembly at 8 am
BJP MLA Kalidas Kolambkar takes oath as Protem Speaker at Raj Bhawan in Mumbai (see image alongside). The oath was administered by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. Kolambkar says that the first session of the new assembly begins with administering oaths to MLAs from 8 am onwards.
With the alliance of the Shiv Sena, NCP and the Congress likely to form government in Maharashtra, the BJP said on Tuesday that parties "rejected by people" in the Assembly polls have joined hands to "steal" popular mandate.
The BJP also rejected the opposition's criticism over its decision to form government despite lacking numbers, with its spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao saying it had done so in "good faith" after being assured of the NCP's support by its leader Ajit Pawar. Rao also had a swipe at his party's former ally Shiv Sena, saying its tally might not have not reached even double digit figures without the BJP's support but it "cynically" exploited post-election situation to sacrifice its ideology at the altar of power politics.
17:51 Constitution and democracy more powerful than power, money: Ashok Chavan
Soon after Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar resigned from their posts of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Congress leader Ashok Chavan said that today it was proved that constitution and democracy are more powerful than power and money.
"Constitution and democracy are more powerful than power and money, this is proved today," Chavan tweeted.
Fadnavis on Tuesday announced his resignation as Maharashtra's chief minister, hours after the Supreme Court ordered a floor test in the state assembly.
"We realised that we don't have the required numbers to form the government and we don't want to indulge in horse-trading," Fadnavis told reporters after announcing his decision.
Earlier in the day, his deputy, NCP's Ajit Pawar resigned from the post, just three days after he was sworn in.In a sudden turn of event, both Fadnavis and Pawar were administered the oath on Saturday morning, nixing Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP's bid to form government in the state. -- ANI
17:20 Uddhav to be elected Aghadi chief at Trident today
Congress President Sonia Gandhi has given her consent to the Common Minimum Program of the three parties (Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress). Modalities have been finalized between the alliance parties. The CMP will be released after the joint meeting today.
The Congress and Shiv Sena MLAs to go to Trident hotel where Uddhav Thackeray is to be elected leader of the legislative party -- the Mahavikas Aghadi.
Senior Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Ahmed Patel have just left for Mumbai where the action is taking place.
BJP MLA Kalidas Kolambkar will be Protem Speaker and will take oath shortly in the Raj Bhawan. Kolambkar says 'Oath of MLAs to be administered tomorrow when the session begins.'
17:06
Resignation of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis reflects "beauty of democracy"; certain governors are trying to run parallel administrations: WB speaker
16:59 Done deal: Fadnavis submits resignation to guv
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis handed over his resignation to Governor BS Koshyari on Tuesday afternoon. "Fadnavis called on the governor and tendered his resignation," said a statement from Raj Bhavan. Fadnavis, sworn in only three days ago, announced at a press conference on Tuesday that he was going to resign as with deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar stepping down, the BJP does not have a majority in the Assembly. -- PTI
16:35 Sena-NCP-Cong to stake claim at 7 pm today
According to sources, Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress will meet Governor Koshyari at 7 pm.
The three parties are likely to ask the governor to take oath tomorrow.
Two MLAs from each party are likely to take oath tomorrow.
Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan has said that they have already requested the Maharashtra governor to accept Fadnavis' resignation and invite Shiv Sena-NCP-Cong alliance to form a government.
"We demand that Uddhav Thackeray be invited to form government in Maharashtra immediately," Prithviraj Chavan said.
16:10 I doubt 3-wheeler govt will be stable: Fadnavis
Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced his resignation as Maharashtra's chief minister, hours after the Supreme Court ordered a floor test in the state assembly.
"I doubt that this three-wheeler govt will be stable but BJP will work as an effective opposition and try to raise the voice of people. We had decided that we will never indulge in horse trading, that we will never try to break away any MLA. Those who said that we indulge in horse trading bought the entire horse stable."
Earlier in the day, his deputy, NCP's Ajit Pawar resigned from the post, just three days after he was sworn in."We realised that we don't have the required numbers to form the government and we don't want to indulge in horse-trading," Fadnavis told reporters after announcing his decision.
In a sudden turn of event, both Fadnavis and Pawar were administered the oath on Saturday morning, nixing Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP's bid to form government in the state.
15:46 Devendra Fadnavis resigns as Maharashtra CM
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis addresses the media, in Mumbai and expectedly, submits his resignation. Highlights.
-- In elections clear majority was given to Mahayuti and BJP got maximum 105 seats. We contested with Shiv Sena, but this mandate was for BJP because BJP won 70 percent seats out of all seats we contested
-- The BJP-Sena got the mandate to rule, people had voted for the Mahayuti. After seeing the numbers, the Shiv Sena started bargaining. It wasn't decided that that the CM's post would be rotational. But Sena played the bargaining game and made a laughing stock of themselves.
-- We waited for them (Shiv Sena) for a long time but they didn't respond and instead talked to Congress-NCP. People who never stepped outside Matoshree (Thackeray residence) to meet anyone were going door to door to make government with NCP and Congress.
-- Shiv Sena told us before election, that they will go with anyone which gives them the CM post.
-- Ajit Pawar is leader of NCP's legislature party and met us. The governor called us first for government formation because we had the numbers. The Sena-Cong-NCP come from different ideologies.
-- The hunger for power is such that now Shiv Sena leaders are even willing to ally with Sonia Gandhi.
-- Ajit submitted his resignation to me today and told me he cannot continue. Because of his resignation we do not have the numbers. We thought that the entire NCP party is coming with us but after this we cannot continue.
-- The BJP doesn't break parties. After this I'll go to Raj Bhavan and tender my resignation. I wish them all the best whoever will form the govt. But that will be a very unstable govt as there is huge difference of opinions.
15:26 Raut: Uddhav will be CM for 5 years
A confirmation from Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena: "Ajit dada (Ajit Pawar) has resigned and he is with us. Uddhav Thackeray will be the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for 5 years. We won't just prove majority, we will prove grand majority."
This means that there will be no rotational CM. But the Maharashtra story remains volatile and till a CM is actually sworn in things could go any which way.
15:13 Will prove our majority 100%, says Sena's Arvind Sawant
Welcoming the Supreme Court's decision of a floor test in the Maharashtra assembly, Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant on Tuesday expressed confidence that his party along with Congress and NCP will prove majority in the assembly.
"We welcome the decision of the Supreme Court. Whatever is happening in Maharashtra is against the Constitution. We demanded the floor test be held soon since more delay will lead to horse-trading," he told reporters.
"We have the majority. 100 per cent we will prove our strength in the house. Truth will win," Sawant said.
Earlier this month, Sawant had resigned as the Union Minister citing moral grounds. He was the lone Shiv Sena member in the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and served as the Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.
15:09 PM Modi holds meeting with Amit Shah, Nadda
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national working president JP Nadda in his chambers at the Parliament House on Tuesday.The meeting lasted for about 25 minutes and took place immediately after the joint session of parliament which was held today to mark Constitution day.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court while hearing a joint petition of Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena, has ordered that a floor test should be conducted in Maharasthra Assembly on Wednesday, observing that a delay in the majority test could lead to horse-trading.
BJP leader Devendra Fadanvis and NCP leader Ajit Pawar took oath as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister early on Saturday morning, sending shockwaves in the Opposition camp following which the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP approached the top court.
14:54 Don't know, says NCP's Jayant Patil
Jayant Patil, NCP, is non-committal on reports of Ajit Pawar quitting the alliance with the BJP. "It's you from whom I have come to know about the resignation of Ajit Pawar. I don't know about it, I would like to make a comment on it only after getting to know everything about it."
14:49 Ajit Pawar resigns as Maharashtra Dy CM
Ajit Pawar has resigned as Maharashtra deputy CM. Reports say that the NCP has successfully convince Pawar to submit his resignation, says the Shiv Sena mouthpiece, Saamna.
Devendra Fadnavis is slated address the media at 3:30 pm today, which in the backdrop of Ajit Pawar's resignation is likely to be an announcement on his stepping down from the CM's chair.
This morning, after the Supreme Court ordered a floor test, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray and NCP chief Sharad Pawar met in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Apart from the two party chiefs, NCP leaders Praful Patel, Jayanth Patil Supriya Sule, Nawab Malik, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Jitendra Awhad and Aaditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, Eknath Shinde of Shiv Sena also met at the Sofitel hotel in Mumbai.
On a joint petition of the Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena, the Supreme Court has ordered that a floor test be conducted in Maharasthra Assembly on Wednesday, observing that a delay in the majority test could lead to horse-trading.
Image: A file picture of Ajit Pawar and Chhagan Bhujbal. NCP leaders Dilip Walse Patil, Jayant Patil and Bhujban met Pawar yesterday to convince him to return to the fold.
14:27 Devendra Fadnavis to brief the media at 3:30 pm
1 Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis to address the media at 3:30 pm.
2 A meeting was held at the Prime Minister's chamber at the Parliament today. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national working president JP Nadda were present at the meeting.
4 Uddhav Thackeray to be leader of Mahavikas Aghadi.
5 The Congress and NCP have called for the the appointment of the senior-most lawmaker in the Maharashtra Assembly -- Congress MLA Balasaheb Thorat as pro-tem speaker, saying precedents and conventions should be followed.
"It has happened in nine cases. If you remember in Karnataka, first K G Bopaiah ji was made speaker, but then he was changed as he was not senior-most. So automatically, it is a tradition that the senior-most (legislator) is made pro-tem speaker. We go by conventions and traditions," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told reporters.
14:15 Ayodhya: Sunni Central Waqf Board to not file review petition
The Sunni Central Waqf Board on Tuesday decided that it will not file a review petition against the Supreme Court's verdict on the Ayodhya dispute, its chairman Zufar Farooqi said. The important meeting of the board, attended by seven of the eight members, decided not to file a review petition against the apex court's decision, he said.
Six members present were of the view that review petition should not be filed, Farooqi said. He said the board was yet to decide whether to accept a five-acre land given by the apex court for building a mosque in Ayodhya.
The members feel that they need more time to decide on the matter and also ensure that it is appropriate as per the Shariat, Farooqi said. The Supreme Court, in its verdict in the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi title case on November 9, said the entire 2.77 acres of disputed land should be handed over to the deity Ram Lalla, who was one of the three litigants in the case. PTI
14:00 Cong-NCP-Sena MLAs to meet at 5 pm
The Maha Vikas Aghadi -- the coalition of the NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress -- which hopes to form government tomorrow -- will hold a joint meeting of its MLAs at 5 pm today.
The Supreme Court Tuesday ordered a floor test for Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday to prove his majority in the House saying there is a "possibility of horse trading" in case of delay. As a month has elapsed after the declaration of results of the Assembly elections it is "incumbent upon the court to protect the democratic values" for which "immediate floor test" is the "most effective mechanism" to curtail unlawful practices such as horse trading as well as to avoid uncertainty and to effectuate smooth running of democracy by ensuring a stable Government, it said.
The apex court asked Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to appoint a pro-tem speaker and ensure that all the elected members of the House are sworn in on Wednesday itself by 5 pm for paving the way for a floor test.
It directed that the voting in the Assembly will not be on the basis of secret ballot and the entire proceeding will have to be telecast live.
13:46 Cong not to protest in Parliament after SC order
The Congress will not protest in Parliament over Maharashtra government formation as the Supreme Court's order to hold a floor test in the state assembly on Wednesday has settled the issue for now, party sources said on Tuesday.
The power tussle in Maharashtra reverberated in Parliament on Monday as opposition members staged vociferous protests, forcing adjournment of proceedings in both the Houses.
The sources also said the House Speaker will decide what action is to be taken on the complaint by two women Congress MPs who said that they were "manhandled" by marshals in the Lok Sabha when they were protesting in the Well of the House over Maharashtra government formation. -- PTI
Image: Sonia Gandhi led protests outside Parliament on the Maharashtra issue.
12:48 Rahul dodges questions on Maha political crisis
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi played it cool with media persons here on Tuesday when he was asked on the Maharashtra political crisis and the opposition parties' protest in Parliament.
Gandhi, back from sabbatical, arrived at the Parliament earlier today. Upon his arrival, he encountered a barrage of questions from the journalists.
Although he answered none of the questions put forth by the scribes, a smiling Gandhi instead said to a journalist, "Hi. How are you?"The Congress leader continued greeting journalists and did not answer any queries.
12:44 BJP's show of strength at Wankhede tonight
Updates on the Maharashtra government formation:
BJP leader Rao Saheb Danve: We will prove our majority. Tonight at 9 pm, all BJP MLAs will meet at Garware Club at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
A meeting of Congress MLAs (pictured) is underway at JW Marriott Hotel. Senior Congress leaders Mallikarjuna Kharge, Balasaheb Thorat and Ashok Chavan are present in the meeting. A joint meeting of the Aghadi will be also be held at the hotel. Congress MLAs have been corralled at this hotel.
NCP Chief Sharad Pawar and party leader Nawab Malik are at Sofitel Hotel to meet senior NCP leaders, some of whom remain aggrieved and likely open to poaching.
12:36
Maharashtra Congress President Balasaheb Thorat elected Congress Legislative Party leader.
12:24 The gist of the Supreme Court on the Maharashtra floor test
"We may note that in the present case, oath has not been administered to the elected members even though a month has elapsed since the declaration of election results.
In such emergent facts and circumstances, to curtail unlawful practices such as horse trading, to avoid uncertainty and to effectuate smooth running of democracy by ensuring a stable Government, we are of the considered opinion that it is necessary to pass certain interim directions in this case. In this context, it is necessary and expedient to conduct the floor test as soon as possible to determine whether the Chief Minister, who was administered the oath of office, has the support of the majority or not.
Since the elected members of the Legislative Assembly are yet to take oath as specified in the III Schedule of the Constitution, and the Speaker is also yet to be elected, we request the Governor of the State of Maharashtra to ensure that a floor test be held on 27.11.2019.
The following procedure is to be followed for conducting the floor test:
a. Protem Speaker shall be solely appointed for the aforesaid agenda immediately.
b. All the elected members shall take oath on 27.11.2019, which exercise should be completed before 5:00 p.m.
c. Immediately thereafter, the Protem Speaker shall conduct the floor test in order to ascertain whether the Respondent No. 3 (Devendra Fadnavis) has the majority, and these proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with law. The floor test will not be conducted by secret ballot.
d. The proceedings have to be live telecast, and appropriate arrangements are to be made to ensure the same.
Eight weeks time is granted to the learned counsel for the respondents to file their respective counter affidavits. Rejoinder affidavit, if any, is to be filed within four weeks thereafter. The matter to be listed after twelve weeks."
12:04 Ex-Speaker meets CM Fadnavis ahead of floor test
BJP MLA Haribhau Bagade arrives at the residence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He was the Speaker of the previous assembly and officially, he is the Speaker till the next Speaker assumes charge.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Ashish Shelar said that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is still the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party on the Floor of the House and his whip will hold as leader of the legislature party.
"We are confirmed that Ajit Pawar is the leader of NCP on the Floor of the House, and his whip will hold as leader of the legislature party, Shelar told media.
"We are making it clear that whatever letter has been submitted by Jayant Patilji is a counter letter to the letter earlier given for the appointment of Ajit Pawar as a leader of NCP in the house," he said.
The BJP leader said, "The Governor not once but twice have communicated with Ajit Pawar as the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party. Nobody has challenged that. At the time of swearing-in, prior to that, the list of supporting MLAs has also been communicated by Ajit Pawar as a leader of NCP."
"Not only that even yesterday, before Supreme Court, the NCP while arguing their case they tried to put forward that they are in the process or have changed the leader of assembly but after going through the proceedings and arguments, the top court has not categorically accepted the same," he said.
"Now, there is a letter on record of Ajit Pawar as a leader which was accepted by the Governor and there is a counter letter given by Jayant Patil as a leader of assembly of NCP party. We believe and we know, in this case, the procedure demands the speaker of the assembly Haribhau Bagade has to follow the process. To begin with, he may ask the clarification if needed from Ajit Pawar and by following the process of arguments and counter-arguments then only he can come to the conclusion," the BJP leader said."As far as we are concerned, we know that Ajit Pawar is a leader of the NCP on the floor. His whip will only follow," he added.
11:56 Tight security at Vidhan Bhawan ahead of test
Security has been stepped up around the Vidhan Bhawan in Mumbai in view of the Supreme Court's direction calling for a floor test on Wednesday for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to prove majority in the Assembly, a senior police official said on Tuesday.
Elaborate police bandobast has been made to avoid any untoward incident outside the premises, he said. "The Vidhan Sabha security officials were taking care of the security arrangements inside the legislature building," he said.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Barve and other senior police officials conducted a review of the Vidhan Bhavan's security on Monday, he said. "No unauthorised person will be allowed to enter the Vidhan Bhavan. Entry passes will be issued to only those who are authorised to enter the premises," he said. -- PTI
11:51 Truth cannot be defeated: Sena on SC calling for floor test
With the Supreme Court directing Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to ensure floor test in the state Assembly on Wednesday, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said truth cannot be defeated. "Satyamev jayate" (truth shall prevail)," Raut tweeted. "Satya pareshan ho sakta hai..parajit nahi ho sakta...Jai Hind!!" (truth can get frustrated, but cannot get defeated), the Rajya Sabha member said in another tweet.
11:49 Sharad Pawar hails SC order calling for floor test in Maha
NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday hailed the Supreme Court's direction calling for a floor test in the Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday, saying he was grateful to the apex court for upholding the democratic values and constitutional principles. He said it was heartening that the verdict came when the 'Constitution Day' is being celebrated, and dubbed it as a tribute to Dr B R Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution.
"I am grateful to Hon'ble SC for upholding democratic values and constitutional principles. It's heartening that the Maharashtra Verdict came on the #ConstitutionDay, a Tribute to Bharatratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar!" Pawar tweeted.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that the floor test for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to prove his majority in the Maharashtra Assembly be conducted on Wednesday. It also directed Governor Koshyari to ensure that all elected members of the House are sworn in on Wednesday itself. The apex court also said that the entire proceedings have to be telecast live. Voting in the Assembly shall not be on the basis of secret ballot, it said. PTI
11:35 Will prove majority: BJP on SC floor test order
And this is what the BJP has to say on the Supreme Court order on the floor test today. "We respect the court order. We are ready to prove majority and we will show it," Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil said. The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that the floor test for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to prove his majority in the Maharashtra Assembly be conducted on Wednesday. It also directed Governor Koshyari to ensure that all elected members of the House are sworn in on Wednesday itself. The apex court also said that the entire proceedings have to be telecast live. Voting in the Assembly shall not be on the basis of secret ballot, it said. -- PTI
11:23 People should follow every word of Constitution: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said people of the country should follow the ideals as enshrined in the Indian Constitution. On the occasion of the Constitution Day, Banerjee also paid homage to Dr B R Ambedkar remembering his contribution in drafting the Constitution of India.
"On #ConstitutionDay, homage to Dr BR Ambedkar and the Constituent Assembly who gave shape to our great democracy. Let us live every word of the Constitution: Sovereign, Socialist, Secular and Democratic Republic, Justice, Liberty, Fraternity, and Equality," Banerjee tweeted.
The government is celebrating November 26 as the Constitution Day asit was on this day in 1949 that the Constitution was adopted, and, thereafter, came into force on January 26, 1950, marking the beginning of India as a republic. The Centre had in 2015 declared November 26 as the Constitution Day.
11:16 End of BJP's game: Aghadi reacts to SC verdict
With the Supreme Court directing Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to ensure a floor test on Wednesday and that there be no secret ballot, the NCP on Tuesday said only truth will prevail and that it was "end of the BJP's game".
"Satyamev Jayate; BJP ka khel khatm" (truth alone shall win, end of the BJP's game), NCP's chief spokesperson Nawab Malik tweeted after the apex court gave its ruling.
Prithviraj Chavan, Congress, says the Sena, Congress, NCP are satisfied with the SC order of the floor test in the Maharashtra assembly. Constitution has been respected on Constitution Day. The SC decision on the Maharashtra floor test is a slap for the 'illegitimate' BJP-Ajit Pawar govt which held 'mandate' hostage.
The Shiv Sena also reacted saying truth shall prevail; it can't be defeated.
The Supreme Court directed that the floor test for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to prove his majority in the Maharashtra Assembly be conducted on Wednesday.
The apex court also directed Governor Koshyari to ensure that all elected members of the House are sworn in on Wednesday itself. The entire exercise has to be completed by 5 pm. Voting in the Assembly shall not be on the basis of secret ballot, it said.
Image: NCP chief Sharad Pawar speaks at the show of strength at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai.
11:14 BJP core committee meeting begins
Ashish Shelar, Raosaheb Danve, Girish Mahajan, Bhupendra Yadav and other BJP leaders arrive at the residence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for the party's core committee meeting.
10:57 Maharashtra floor test before 5 pm tomorrow
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court orders the floor test in the Maharashtra assembly to be held before 5 pm, tomorrow, November 27. A pro-term Speaker will be elected. There will be a live telecast of the proceedings and voting will not be by secret ballot. The court said the floor test will be conducted by the pro-tem speaker after the members take oath by 5 pm tomorrow.
Kapil Sibal appearing for Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance in Supreme Court, mentioned before the SC to restrain the Devendra Fadnavis Government from taking important policy decisions.
The apex court also directed Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to ensure that all elected members of the house are sworn in on Wednesday itself. The entire exercise has to be completed by 5 pm.
A bench comprising Justices N V Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna also said the entire proceedings has to be telecast live. Voting in the assembly shall not be on the basis of secret ballot, it said. The governor will also appoint a pro-tem speaker who will administer oath to the newly elected members.
10:32 This Bhagat Singh hanged democracy: Sena
The Shiv Sena on Tuesday lashed out at the Maharashtra governor over the hush hush swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying while one Bhagat Singh went to the gallows for freedom, the other one "hanged" democracy in the darkness of night.
An editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' wondered what would be Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's stand on the letter of support submitted by the Sena-NCP-Congress for staking claim to form government after the combine paraded "162 MLAs" at a hotel here.
In a show of strength ahead of the Supreme Court's ruling on floor test in Maharashtra, the Sena-NCP-Congress combine on Monday paraded '162 MLAs' at a luxury hotel to demonstrate that it has numbers in the 288-member House, where the majority mark is 145.
"When we had given a clear indication that the Sena- NCP-Congress alliance has 162 MLAs, what was the basis on which Governor Koshyari invited Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar for swearing-in as chief minister and deputy chief minister, respectively, last week?" the Sena asked.
"We are aware of one Bhagat Singh, who went to the gallows for country's freedom, but this another Bhagat Singh hanged democracy and freedom in the midnight with stamp (his signature)," the Marathi publication said.
The Sena also took a dig at NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who last week rebelled against his party and supported the BJP to form government in the state. It pointed out that NCP chief Sharad Pawar left the Congress twice and ran a separate party on his own and survived in politics for more than 50 years.
"Ajit Pawar should have done something like this, instead of stealing some papers and falsely claiming he has the backing of NCP MLAs," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said.
The moment the BJP "blackmailed" Ajit Pawar in the name of ED probe, he tried to break the political assets of his uncle Sharad Pawar, the Sena alleged. "He used an old letter to claim that he has the support of NCP MLAs," it said.
"Ajit Pawar himself had said on several occasions that he never lies. The same Pawar is now lying everyday and gave a false letter to the governor to claim the support of his party MLAs," the Marathi daily said. Anyone having majority can form government, but it should not be done by completely "bulldozing" the Constitution and established norms, otherwise people would lose faith in such institutions, it opined.
10:25 2 terrorists killed in Kashmir
Two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists killed in encounter with security forces yesterday in Pulwama. Irfan Naira was close associate of Riyaz Naikoo. A category 'A' terrorist, he was active since 2016. Another terrorist Irfan Rather was active since 2017. They'd attacked Army, CRPF & JKP patrol parties.
10:21 No decision yet on who is NCP's house leader
Ahead of the Supreme Court verdict on Maharashtra government formation, Rajendra Bhagwat, the secretary of the Maharashtra Legislature says the Legislature Secretariat has received a letter claiming that Jayant Patil is the Legislative Party Leader for the NCP. "But, decision has to be taken by the Speaker. As of today, it has not been decided," he said.
"As Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf writes, "Whenever the assembly is convened, the senior-most MLA -- irrespective of which party he belongs to -- is appointed pro-tem speaker by the governor to administer the oath of office to the newly elected MLAs. The speaker's election is taken up thereafter.
This is what should have happened in Karnataka in 2018, but Governor Vajubbhai Vala ignored the guideline to appoint the senior-most legislator and chose BJP leader K G Bopaiah as the pro-tem speaker.
Going by this precedent, in Maharashtra, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari too can ignore Balasaheb Thorat of the Congress party, who is the senior-most MLA, and appoint a senior BJP leader as pro-tem speaker.
If that happens, the BJP's chances of winning the trust vote would go up manifold." Read the column here
The Supreme Court will pass its order on Tuesday morning over a joint petition filed by Shiv Sena, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party against the decision of the Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to invite BJP to form the government in the state.
A bench of Justices N V Ramana, Ashok Bhushan, and Sanjiv Khanna on Monday heard the arguments put forth by counsels appearing for Governor, Maharashtra BJP and other parties and reserved its order.
The petitions were filed after BJP's Devendra Fadnavis took oath for the second consecutive term as the state Chief Minister, with NCP's Ajit Pawar as his Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday morning.
This came when deliberations among Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena on the government formation had reached the final stage.So what happens when the trust vote is convened?
10:05 Rupee gains 8 paise against US dollar in early trade
The rupee on Tuesday appreciated by 8 paise to 71.66 against the US dollar in early trade propelled by foreign capital inflows and gains in domestic equity market. Easing crude oil prices and a weaker greenback in overseas markets also influenced the sentiment, forex dealers said.
At the Interbank Foreign Exchange, the rupee opened strong at 71.67, showing a rise of 7 paise over its previous closing. The domestic unit further moved up to trade at 71.66 following strong gains in equity markets. The rupee had closed 3 paise higher at 71.74 in the previous session. -- PTI
09:48 Sensex, Nifty hit record highs in opening session
Market benchmark BSE Sensex jumped over 200 points in early trade on Tuesday to hit its record high of 41,108, and NSE Nifty surged to its lifetime peak of 12,126 amid sustained foreign fund inflow and positive global cues.
The 30-share index was trading 218.82 points, or 0.54 per cent, higher at 41,108.05. Similarly, the broader Nifty rose 51.55 points, or 0.43 per cent, to 12,125.50. Top gainers in the Sensex pack included Yes Bank which rose up to 1.57 per cent, Tata Steel 1.54 per cent, Sun Pharma 1.45 per cent, ICICI Bank 1.48 per cent, Infosys 1.10 per cent and RIL 0.76 per cent.
On the other hand, Bharti Airtel fell up to 1.73 per cent, Kotak Bank 0.40 per cent, Bajaj Auto 0.33 per cent, L&T 0.22 per cent and Hero MotoCorp slipped 0.05 per cent. On Monday, the Sensex ended 529.82 points, or 1.31 per cent, higher at 40,889.23 -- its all-time closing peak. Likewise, the Nifty closed with a gain of 159.35 points, or 1.34 per cent, at 12,073.75 -- just shy of its life-time closing high. -- PTI
09:33 26/11 anniversary: Fadnavis, governor pay tribute
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari pay tribute at Police Memorial at Marine Drive on 11th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks.
09:24 US calls for bringing 26/11 perpetrators to justice
As India today marked the 11th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks, the United States Department of State on Monday called for the perpetrators of the Mumbai carnage to be brought to justice as soon as possible.
US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus took to Twitter saying 11 years ago, "a cowardly act of terrorism" took the lives of 166 people, including six US citizens.
"Today we remember the victims of the #MumbaiTerrorAttack, and stand with their families in demanding that those responsible for this heinous event face justice," she added.
Mumbai had come to a standstill on this day 11 years ago when 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists who came to Mumbai via sea route from Pakistan carried out a series of coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across the city.
Attacks took place at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station, Cama Hospital, Nariman House business and residential complex, Leopold Cafe, Taj Mahal Hotel and Tower and the Oberoi-Trident Hotel. -- ANI
08:54 Activist Trupti Desai to visit Sabarimala today
Women's rights activist Trupti Desai reached on Tuesday Kochi to proceed to Sabarimala to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa shrine.
Desai and a few other activists who landed at the Kochi International Airport early Tuesday have been taken to Kochi city police commissionerate.
She said they preferred November 26 to visit the shrine as it was the Constitution Day.
She said she has come up with the 2018 order of the Supreme Court permitting entry of women of all age groups into the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.
"I will leave Kerala only after offering prayers at the shrine," the activist said.
The Pune-based Desai had made an unsuccessful attempt to enter the temple in November last year, weeks after the Supreme Court lifted the ban that prevented women and girls between the age of 10 and 50 from entering the famous shrine. -- PTI
08:49 Indian-American student sexually assaulted, strangulated in Chicago
A 19-year-old Indian-American student was sexually assaulted and then strangulated to death in Chicago, police said about a brutal murder that has shocked the community in the United States.
Ruth George, originally hailing from Hyderabad and an honours student at the University of Illinois, was found dead in the back seat of a family-owned vehicle in a campus garage on Saturday.
The assailant, Donald Thurman, 26, was arrested Sunday from a Chicago metro station.
He is not associated with the university.
On Monday, he was formally charged with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual assault for killing George.
The medical examiner ruled George's death a homicide by strangulation.
According to the university, George was a sophomore and kinesiology major.
The university said in a statement George's family reported to the University Police on Saturday that she had not been heard from since Friday evening.
Her phone was "pinged" to the Halsted Street Parking Garage, and police and family members responded to find George unresponsive in the back seat of a vehicle owned by her family.
Police then requested assistance from the FBI Evidence Response Team to assist in the processing of the crime scene and to complete forensics on the vehicle.
According to the university, police retrieved video footage from existing university cameras of the offender who was seen walking behind George on Saturday.
She entered the garage on foot at approximately 1:35 a.m., followed by the offender.
The offender is seen again on video footage at 2:10 a.m. walking on Halsted Street.
Police then reviewed video footage from the Chicago Transit Authority, the Chicago POD cameras, and its internal system to determine travel patterns for the offender.
Based on the observations, police detectives decided to watch the Blue line station during the hours that the offender had previously travelled on the Blue line.
Thurman, who has a criminal history, was arrested Sunday near the Blue line train station at Halsted and Harrison streets.
He was taken into custody and subsequently gave a full confession to this horrific crime. -- PTI
08:17 SC order on Maha floor test today at 10.30 am
The Supreme Court will today decide on a petition challenging the government formation by the Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra.
The top court on Monday said it would give a decision today on the petition filed by the newly formed Congress, Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party combine, which claimed it has the numbers needed to form government.
On Monday, the centre argued that Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari invited Devendra Fadnavis to form government based on a letter showing the support of 170 MLAs, including all 54 of the Nationalist Congress Party of Ajit Pawar, who was sworn in as deputy chief minister.
00:11 100 Muslims oppose filing of Ayodhya review plea
About 100 prominent Muslim citizens from across the country, including actors Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi, opposed the decision by some litigants to file a review petition challenging the Supreme Court's Ayodhya verdict, saying that keeping the dispute alive will harm the community.
Members of the Muslim community who signed the statement include Islamic scholars, social activists, lawyers, journalists, businessmen, poets, actors, filmmakers, theatre personalities, musicians and students among others, a statement issued by the group said.
"We share the unhappiness of the Indian Muslim community, constitutional experts and secular organisations over the fact that the highest court in the land has placed faith above law in arriving at its decision," the statement said.
"But while agreeing that the court order is judicially flawed, we strongly believe that keeping the Ayodhya dispute alive will harm, and not help, Indian Muslims," it said.
The signatories include Shah, Azmi, film writer Anjum Rajabali, journalist Javed Anand, among others.
The Supreme Court, in its verdict in the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi title case on November 9, said that the entire 2.77 acres of disputed land in Ayodhya should be handed over to the deity Ram Lalla, who was one of the three litigants.
The five-judge Constitution bench also directed the Centre to allot a five-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board in Ayodhya to build a mosque.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board and the Maulana Arshad Madani-led Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind announced on November 17 that a review petition will be filed in the apex court against the Ayodhya verdict.
-- PTI
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