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Mon, 25 November 2019
Fadnavis should resign to save BJP's face: NCP
Timeline Refresh
23:33 Total 158 present at meeting today: Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi
Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi tweeted, "Those interested in head count/exact numbers, here goes: Total 158 present at Hyatt meeting today. NCP: Zirval ji just reached, Dharmarao Atram ji is in the hospital unwell but in touch. Cong: Prithviraj Chavan ji in Delhi, Sunil Kedar ji in Nagpur for ZP elections."
23:08 Fadnavis should resign to save BJP's face: NCP
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should tender resignation if BJP wants to save its face as more than 162 MLAs are with the Congress-Shiv Sena and NCP alliance, said NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik on Monday.
"We have more than 162 MLAs with us, the government which Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has made is a fraud one. BJP still has time to save face by tendering (Devendra Fadnavis') resignation," Malik said after the meeting all the MLAs of Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP at a Mumbai hotel in order to show strength.
Malik further said that NCP has full faith on the Supreme Court that it would ask for the floor test to be conducted tomorrow, following which the defeat of BJP government in the state would be imminent.
"We have full faith that based on the Supreme Court's decision tomorrow, a floor test will be held in which they (BJP) will be defeated. If BJP tries to indulge in manipulation, we will do the same and snatch all their MLAs," Malik said.
On being asked about the prospects of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar returning under NCP supremo Sharad Pawar's leadership, he said, "Ajit Pawar is a part of the NCP and a member of the Pawar family. We are making efforts to ensure that he realises his mistake and comes back to the party's fold."
Accusing BJP of trying to indulge in horse-trading, he said, "This incident in Maharashtra has revealed the true colours of BJP in front of the nation. In a democracy, the government is formed on the basis of the strength of one's MLAs, but BJP formed a government based on the faith that NCP and other party's MLAs can be brought. But they forgot that what they successfully carried out elsewhere could not be redone in Maharashtra."
-- ANI
22:42 Samajwadi Party supports NCP-Cong-Shiv Sena alliance: Abu Azmi
Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi who was present at the show of strength of the NCP-Shiv Sena-Congress MLAs on Monday evening extended his party's support to the alliance that has staked claim to form the government in Maharashtra.
"After approval from the party chief Akhilesh Yadav, I have given a letter showing the support of SP for Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance," said Azmi who was spotted sitting in the front row along with Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Balasaheb Thorat among others. In a show of strength, the MLAs of the three parties pledged that they would not get "lured" and "will not do anything which will benefit BJP".
This comes at a time when Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena have in their attempt to keep their flock intact and to prevents any alleged attempts of 'poaching' or 'horse-trading' sequestered their MLAs in separate hotels in the city.
The three parties on Monday evening pooled their MLAs at Hotel Grand Hyatt where NCP MLAs are already staying, in a bid to show their strength.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that the three-party alliance has the majority and will form the government in Maharashtra. He was addressing the MLAs of the three parties who were assembled at the Hotel Grand Hyatt in a show of strength.
-- ANI
22:16 Oppn to boycott joint sitting of Parl on Tue
Some opposition parties led by the Congress are likely to boycott the joint sitting of Parliament on Tuesday called to commemorate the Constitution Day and will hold a protest against the political developments in Maharashtra.
The Congress, Left parties, NCP, TMC, RJD, TDP and DMK have planned a joint protest at the Ambedkar statue inside the Parliament complex against the political developments in Maharashtra and installing of a government led by Devendra Fadnavis with Ajit Pawar as deputy chief minister, sources said.
Opposition parties will also hold a joint meeting in the morning and take a final call on the boycott of the 'Constitution Day' function. This is aimed at presenting a united opposition in the wakeof Maharashtra developments, they said.
The Shiv Sena, a former ally of the BJP, is also likely to join the protest. Shiv Sena leaders Anil Desai, Arvind Savant and some others met Congress president Sonia Gandhi at her residence and extended their support to the protest call given by the Congress.
The government is celebrating 'Constitution Day' or 'Samvidhan Diwas' on Tuesday in the Central Hall of Parliament to mark the 70th anniversary of adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the MPs on the occasion.
The President will also inaugurate a digital exhibition through video conferencing.
-- PTI
21:42 Two Kashmiri political leaders released from house arrest
The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Monday announced release of two political leaders, who have been under detention since August 5, besides shifting of two others to their houses from the MLA hostel.
Dilawar Mir, who is from PDP, and Ghulam Hassan Mir, were under detention for over 110 days and were released by the new union territory administration, officials said.
They were former MLAs and they had been under detention at their respective residences from August 5, the day when Centre announced abrogation of provisions of Article 370.
Ashraf Mir and Hakeen Yaseen, who were MLAs in the last state assembly of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, would be shifted to their residences but remain under detention, the officials said.
Both Mir and Yaseen were among the 34 political leaders who were lodged at the MLA hostel after being shifted from Centaur hotel in Srinagar.
-- PTI
21:28 We together are #MahaStrength: Aaditya tweets
Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray tweeted, "The @INCIndia @NCPspeaks & @ShivSena today presented its 162 MLAs to the media. A truthful majority has the mandate of the constitution and the people. We together are #MahaStrength. #WeAre162".
The tweet came shortly after the MLAs of the Sena, NCP and Congress gathered at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai and took a pledge to stay loyal to the combine.
Speaking at the meet, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said, "Our fight is not just for power, our fight is for 'Satyamev Jayate.' The more you try to break us, the more we will unite."
20:37 They said 162, but were there even 145 MLAs? asks BJP's Ashish Shelar
BJP's Ashish Shelar on Tuesday asked if there were even 145 MLAs present at the 5-star hotel in Mumbai where MLAs of the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP took a pledge not to defect from their parties.
He asked if there were even 145 MLAs.
He also said that such a public parade was disrespectful to the MLAs as such identification is done with accused.
20:10 Prepared for floor test: Pawar at MLA meet
Speaking at the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress MLAs show of strength, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said, ""The ones in the Centre have formed government in many states without having majority including Karnataka, Goa, Manipur etc. BJP has shown how power is misused. Of a house of 288, 162 are present here. Many others have also supported us but we have not yet taken it on paper so we won't disclose their names now. The day SC will order for floor test, we are prepared for it."
He added, "There will not be any problem in proving our majority. The one who is suspended from the party cannot give any orders. On the day of floor test, I will bring more than 162 MLAs. This is not Goa, this is Maharashtra."
19:59 Our fight is for Satyamev Jayate: Uddhav
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray addresses the MLAs, says, "The strength of our alliance cannot be captured in any camera lens. We have arrived, clear our way."
He adds, "If you do not know what Shiv Sena is, try crossing our way, we will show you what Shiv Sena is. We are not here for just 5 years. We are starting from Maharashtra, and then we will move ahead."
Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut today invited Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai, where he said the three-party combine will showcase their show of strength. "We are all one and together, watch our 162 together for the first time at grand Hyatt at 7 pm. Come and watch yourself," he tweeted.
19:32 162 strong: Sena's Arvind Sawant's tweet
Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant expresses solidarity with MLAs of the combine on Twitter.
19:24 Uddhav, Aaditya Thackeray arrive at Hyatt
Sena's Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray have arrived at Hotel Grand Hyatt for the public parade of MLAs.
19:19 Sena-NCP-Cong MLAs gather for show of strength
MLAs from the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress have gathered at the Hotel Grand Hyatt in Mumbai's suburban area of Kalina.
Posters sayings 'We are 162' are seen across the auditorium where the MLAs of Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress will be paraded.
Earlier, Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut had tweeted, "We are all one and together, watch our 162 together for the first time at grand Hyatt at 7 pm, come and watch yourself @maha_governor".
18:56 Won't give up easily: Sonia to Congress, Sena
Sonia Gandhi tells her party colleagues and Shiv Sena leaders that this battle won't and should not be given up easily.
She asks the Congress party to raise the issue of government formation in Mahrashtra daily in the Parliament and even take to streets if need be.
The party interim chief also states that the Congress will fight this battle together to save democracy and the Constitution.
18:31 Supriya Sule, Pawar at Sena-NCP-Cong meet
NCP chief Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule have arrived at Grand Hyatt where earlier Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut had invited the governor to show him the numerocal strength of the Congress-NCP-Sena alliance.
Earlier, Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut had tweeted, "We are all one and together, watch our 162 together for the first time at grand Hyatt at 7 pm, come and watch yourself @maha_governor".
Shiv Sena Deputy Leader Priyanka Chaturvedi tweeted about the MLAs parade hinting that NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena have the numbers required to prove majority. Priyanka Chaturvedi has also reached Grand Hyatt.
18:18 Babita Phogat invites PM Modi, Shah and Nadda for her wedding on Dec 1
Wrestler and BJP member Babita Phogat who is all set to tie the knot with her fiance, Vivek Suhag has invited many bigwigs like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP working president Jagat Prakash Nadda to attend the wedding.
Earlier in the day, the couple visited Parliament to invite Nadda. The wedding is scheduled to take place on December 1. Phogat who celebrated her birthday on November 20 posted a picture with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Instagram and captioned it as saying, "You know you have made your birthday extra special when you got the privilege to meet our respected PM Narendra Modi ji on it. We also got an opportunity to invite him to join us for the most special day of our lives - ''Our Wedding'. Thank you sir for your blessings, it means a lot to us."
Similarly, in another post, the wrestler shared a picture with Shah with a caption that said, "Met Home Minister Amit Shah and invited him for the upcoming wedding party that is to be held in Delhi on December 2. The minister also extended his best wishes for the wedding."
Commonwealth medalist Babita Phogat contested from the Dadri assembly seat in Haryana. She lost the seat to independent Sombir Sangwan of the Jannayak Janta Party. She had received 24786 votes in total.
Phogat had joined the BJP with her father in August ahead of the assembly polls in the state.
-- ANI
18:11 Telangana transport corporation employees end strike
Telangana transport corporation employees call off their nearly two month old strike.
The 48,000 strong employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation have been on strike since October 5.
The employees have been demanding a merger of the TSRTC with the government, pay revision and recruitment to various posts, among others, resulting in buses staying off road, causing inconvenience to commuters.
17:26 Cong-NCP-Sena to parade 162 MLAs at 7 pm
Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut announces in a tweet that the three allies -- Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena will parade their 162 MLAs at Mumbai's Grand Hyatt hotel at 7 pm today.
Parties can only parade their MLAs before the state's governor and so seek to stake claim to form government. By parading the 162 MLAs at a hotel before the media, Raut's announcement is only a show of strength.
This morning, senior leader Eknath Shinde said that the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress have the required numbers and added that they have given the letter, where 162 MLAs have pledged support to their alliance to Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
The three parties submitted the letter to the officials at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai. "We have signatures of 162 MLAs and we have proven that we can form the government. The current government which is formed overnight should not be given acceptance as they don't have the numbers. We demand the resignation of Chief Minister Fadnavis as they don't have numbers," said Shinde.
Echoing similar sentiments, NCP leader Jayant Patil earlier today had asserted that a government has been formed in the state but the concerned political parties do not have adequate numbers.
Image: NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray at the joint presser on Saturday.
17:05 WB govt to provide land possession to refugees: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced that all refugee colonies on central government and private lands up to 3 acres will be regularised The displaced people will also be given land rights by the Trinamool Congress government, Banerjee said.
Her statement came in the backdrop of the Centre's announcement that the National Register of Citizens process would be carried out across the country.
Alleging that the TMC is protecting illegal immigrants from Bangladesh as they are the party's votebank, senior BJP leaders have asserted that NRC would be implemented in the state. The state government had earlier regularized 94 refugee colonies which were on state government land, she said after a Cabinet meeting. -- PTI
16:43 Bill to amend SPG Act introduced in LS
Family members of a former prime minister who don't reside with him at his official residence will not be guarded by SPG commandos anymore and those who reside with him at his allotted accommodation will get security cover of the elite force only for five years.
As per the Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday, proximate security will be given by the force only to the prime minister and members of his immediate family if they live with him at his official residence.
This comes days after the government withdrew the SPG security cover provided to members of the Gandhi family -- Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her children Rahul and Priyanka. While introducing the SPG (Amendment) Bill, 2019, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said in the existing act there is no cut off period for providing SPG protection to former prime ministers or members of their immediate families.
Thus, the number of individuals to be provided SPG cover can potentially become quite large. In such a scenario, there can be severe constraint on resources, training and related infrastructure of the SPG. This can also impact the effectiveness of the elite force in providing adequate cover to the principle protectee -- the prime minister in office, the bill says.
The proposed legislation says that therefore, it is considered essential to amend the act to focus on the core mandate, as the security of the prime minister, as head of the government, is of paramount importance for the government, governance and national security.
16:12 Maha ACB clarifies on scam case against Ajit Pawar
Clarification by the Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau: According to highly placed sources in the Maharashtra ACB, in the list of cases being circulated on social media, none of the cases belong to the alleged irrigation corruption case against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar. The cases that were closed today were conditional and the cases could reopen if more information comes to light or courts order further inquiry.
16:09 Irrigation scam case against Ajit Pawar closed
Scarcely 48 hours after Ajit Pawar was sworn-in as Maharashtra's deputy chief minister, the irrigation scam case against him was officially closed today.
The scam, pegged at around Rs 70,000 crore, relates to alleged corruption and irregularities in approval and execution of various irrigation projects in Maharashtra during the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party rule.
Ajit Pawar was among the NCP ministers who were in-charge of the irrigation department at different times between 1999 and 2014 during the Congress-NCP coalition rule in Maharashtra.
The Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine, has accused the BJP of pressuring Ajit Pawar to switch sides or face Enforcement Directorate probes.
On September 24, the ED had registered a case of money laundering against Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar and several others, triggering a political turmoil in Maharashtra ahead of the October 21 Assembly elections for 288 seats.
15:59 Hurt by behaviour of Cong MPs in LS: Speaker
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday said the behaviour of the Congress MPs, who stormed the Well of the House to protest against the swearing-in of a BJP-led government in Maharashtra, was "unacceptable" and will not be "tolerated."
"I am hurt by whatever happened in Parliament today. It is unacceptable and won't be tolerated," Birla told reporters. Sources said it is being considered whether Congress MPs Hibi Eden and T N Prathapan can be suspended for five years for storming the Well of the House and obstructing Parliament proceedings by shouting slogans. -- PTI
15:43 Better kill people in one go: SC on Delhi AQI
"Why are people being forced to live in a gas chamber? It is better to kill them in one go," said the Supreme Court on Monday while pulling up the Central government for not taking action over deteriorating air quality in the national capital.
"Why are people being forced to live in a gas chamber? It is better to kill them all in one go. Get explosives in 15 bags at one go. Why should people suffer all this? In Delhi, blame game is going on... I am literally shocked," Justice Arun Mishra told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
The apex court was hearing a matter concerning air pollution in Delhi, its adjoining areas and other parts of northern India.The top court directed Centre and Delhi government "to keep their differences aside" and sit together and finalize plan within 10 days to set up air-purifying towers in different parts of the city.
The air quality in the national capital continues to be in the 'poor' category with overall AQI docking at 218 today. -- ANI
15:40 Pink Ball Test: CAB to refund tickets bought for Days 4 and 5
With India's maiden Day/Night Test winding up in less than three days, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has decided to refund fans who bought tickets for the fourth and fifth days. The match ended in just over two days with India winning by an innings and 46 runs here no Sunday. "The process of refunding the amounts for Day 4 and Day 5 Tickets has started. Messages would be sent to all online transactors who have booked only for these two days," the CAB said in a statement. Indian pacers grabbed all the wickets as India won their maiden Day/Night Test to complete a 2-0 series sweep over Bangladesh. The CAB has promised to also work out a mechanism for refund of tickets sold offline once its offices reopen on Tuesday. "CAB has always stood by the cricket-loving people and have tried its best to provide them with the best of facilities. This time too, there would be no exception. It is our moral duty to refund amounts of the tickets for the last two days where no game is being played at all," CAB secretary Avishek Dalmiya said.
The rule that there is no refund if a ball has been bowled in the match would not be applicable for this match for the specific days where no game took place. Tickets were sold daily and ranged between Rs 50, Rs 100 and Rs 150. -- PTI
15:25 Sena-NCP-Cong letter to Guv claiming majority bogus: BJP
BJP leader Ashish Shelar on Monday dubbed as "bogus" the letter submitted by the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine to the Maharashtra governor to claim that they have the numbers to form government in the state.
The 'Maha Vikas Aghadi', the post-poll alliance formed by the three parties, submitted a letter to governor's office in the morning, saying it has the majority whereas the recently sworn in Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis "does not have the required numbers".
The letter was signed by Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, NCP state chief Jayant Patil and Congress Maharashtra unit head Balasaheb Thorat. "It is a bogus letter as technically Ajit Pawar is still the leader of the NCP's legislature wing and he has extended support to the BJP," Shelar told reporters.
"The NCP has still not suspended Ajit Pawar from his post as leader of the party's legislature wing and membership of the party. Hence, Ajit Pawar is still the leader of the NCP in the Assembly," he said.
Shelar pointed out that the NCP has delegated Ajit Pawar's powers to Jayant Patil, but it has not elected the latter as leader of the party in the Assembly. "And his powers are yet to be validated by the governor of the state. Besides, the Congress has not even elected its leader of the House, hence the signature of Balasaheb Thorat as state president has no meaning," the BJP MLA said.
Image: Pawar games: Ajit Pawar at an election rally in Maharashtra in October.
15:09 Help us! NCP MLA in Ajit camp calls Sharad Pawar
Anil Patil, the NCP MLA who was reportedly missing and brought to Mumbai from Delhi by NCP leaders today: "When we reached the hotel (in Delhi) at least 100-200 BJP workers were present there along with a lot of police cars and personnel in civil dress. We were scared. We told Sharad Pawar saab that we want to return and stay with the party. He assured us that we will be brought back and made the necessary arrangements."
NCP supremo Sharad Pawar today said that it is a fact that BJP did not have the majority and that is why they did not form government earlier. Speaking at a press conference in Karad, Pawar said, "It is a fact that BJP didn't have the majority and that is why they did not form the government. They (BJP) had even written to the Governor initially that they don't have the majority and hence would not form the government."
"We have been conducting meetings with our MLAs and our party NCP is not with the BJP in forming the government," he said.
NCP leader Jayant Patil along with Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan and others visited the Maharashtra Raj Bhawan today and said that they have given a letter showing the strength of 162 MLAs to the Governor.
"We are in a position to bring 162 MLAs before Maharashtra Governor at any given time," said Patil while leaving from Raj Bhavan.
15:04 Sensex jumps by 433 points to hit record high
Outside of Maharashtra politics, this is also what's happening.
The Equity benchmark indices gained over 1 per cent during the afternoon on Monday with Sensex clocking a record high with a gain of 433 points to touch 40,792.
The spurt was due to across-the-board buying amid positive global cues and reports of some progress in the US-China trade dispute.
At 2:30 pm, the Nifty 50 was up by 133 points to 12,047 with all sectoral indices at the National Stock Exchange in the green. Nifty metal was up by 2.98 per cent, auto by 1.66 per cent and financial service by 1.39 per cent.
14:37 LS speaker may suspend two Cong MPs for storming Well
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla may suspend Congress MPs Hibi Eden (pictured) and T N Prathapan for storming the Well of the House and obstructing Parliament proceedings by shouting slogans to protest against the swearing-in of a BJP-led government in Maharashtra, sources said on Monday.
Congress leaders carrying placards with messages like "save Constitution" and "save democracy" and a black banner which said "stop murder of democracy" jostled with the marshals. According to the sources, the suspension of the two MPs was "imminent" as Birla was "upset" with their refusal to apologise for their conduct. The BJP also accused Congress members of bringing "shame" to Lok Sabha with their "unruly" conduct in the House. PTI
14:32 Ajit Pawar: NCP's plan A was to ally with BJP
A Marathi news channel, citing sources close to Ajit Pawar, has claimed that the estranged NCP leader's original plan was to go with the BJP to form government in Maharashtra.
Interestingly, senior BJP leader Madhav Bhandari, when asked to respond to these sensational claims made by TV9 Marathi citing associates of Ajit Pawar, said, "We don't trust TV9 Marathi's brand of journalism and Sanjay Raut's statements."
Rubbishing Pawar's claims, NCP leader Nawab Malik said, "He must know about it (the NCP's meeting with the BJP to discuss government formation). Only he will know what he's been up to. He must have been the only one involved in those discussions."
This is what the Maharashtra deputy CM is said to have told his supporters:
-- NCP's original plan was to join hands with the BJP to form government in Maharashtra.
-- Devendra Fadnavis and Union home minister Amit Shah discussed the NCP proposal.
-- The BJP being the government at the Centre and therefore in a position to fund Maharashtra's development was the main reason why NCP leaders had decided to align with the BJP.
-- The NCP's proposal to form a government with Shiv Sena and Congress came much later.
-- Even with the Shiv Sena, it was first decided to have a rotational CM's post. 2.5 years for the Sena and 2.5 years shared between the Congress and the NCP.
-- The decision to give the Shiv Sena the chief minister's post for five years came at the last minute and Ajit Pawar was not happy with this arrangement.
-- Devendra Fadnavis will win the trust vote, if a secret ballot is done during the floor test.
-- Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com
14:10 CM Fadnavis' first signature in second term
CM Devendra Fadnavis' first signature of this tenure was done on a CM Relief Fund cheque at Mantralaya, which was handed over to Kusum Vengurlekar by the Chief Minister.
14:08 Maha govt formation: Congress workers take to the streets in Delhi
In Delhi, Youth Congress workers hold protests against the BJP-led government formation in Maharashtra.
13:54 'It's an open fight between uncle and nephew'
"I don't see a tacit understanding between Sharad Pawar and the BJP," Prakash Bal Joshi, the veteran political commentator and artist who has observed Maharashtra politics for over 40 years, tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih. Read the interview here.
13:24 Sonia complains to Speaker: Women MPs manhandled
Congress party interim president Sonia Gandhi has filed a letter of complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla saying party MPs were manhandled by the marshalls.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and the party's leader in the Lok Sabha also alleged that women parliamentarians were "manhandled" in the Lok Sabha when they were protesting in the Well of the House over the Maharashtra government formation.
Congress members jostled with the marshals in the Lok Sabha when they stormed the Well of the House carrying placards, leading to adjournment of Parliament proceedings. "Security personnel manhandled our women parliamentarians. We have never experienced this inside Parliament. We will be waiting to see what action is been taken against responsible people," Chowdhury told reporters.
Congress MP Hibi Eden added that the party had raised a very genuine issue (Maharashtra) in LS and protested in a democratic manner. "Unfortunately we were taken out by the marshals who tried to push us forcefully. We've filed complaint with the Speaker. We were in the well of the House, there is no contact with marshals unless they enter the well. They tried to take banners from us and our colleagues tried to resist it, our women colleagues were manhandled too."
The BJP on Monday attacked the Congress for "unruly" behaviour of its MPs in Lok Sabha and asked all parties to come together to maintain Parliament's sanctity and great tradition. Speaking to reporters, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad hit out at the opposition party soon after Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned due to vehement opposition by Congress members over the swearing-in of a BJP government in Maharashtra.
Image: Sonia Gandhi led Congress protests on the Maharashtra issue in the Parliament premises, while Rahul Gandhi told the parliament that demoracy had been murdered in Maharashtra while his party members stormed the well carrying placards.
13:10 Have 162 signatures of support: NCP's Patil
Nationalist Congress Party leader Jayant Patil along with Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan and others visited Raj Bhawan on Monday and said that they have given a letter showing the strength of 162 MLAs to the Governor.
"Today morning at 10 am, Shindeji, Thoratji (Maharashtra Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat), Chavanji, Vinayak Rautji (Shivsena), Azmiji, KC Padvi (Congress) and I - on behalf of NCP, gave a letter to Governor showing the strength of 162 MLAs. We are in a position to bring 162 MLAs before Maharashtra Governor at any given time," said Patil while leaving from Raj Bhavan.
"We told the Governor that BJP doesn't have numbers. Even today they don't have the numbers and therefore the three parties (Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP) along with our allies want to stake claim to form a government and we did it today. We have 162 numbers which is more than the magic figure of 144," he added.
Patil further stated that the trio political parties are hoping that the Governor will accept and respect the mandate and ensure NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena form the government in Maharashtra. "We have seven independent MLAs with us apart from our original numbers of 56, 44 and 51," Patil added.
12:54 Cong-NCP-Sena submit letters of support to Raj Bhavan, guv absent
In a major step to pre-empt the Centre's move that could involve imposition of President's rule again or dissolution of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, in case the Devendra Fadnavis government fails to prove its majority in the house, a delegation of Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP has submitted letters of support of 160 MLAs to Raj Bhavan, as Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was not available.
"The 160 letters of support that has the signatures of all the MLAs has been submitted to the undersecretary to the governor as he was not available," Congress leader Ashok Chavan, who was part of the delegation told Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com.
"We have submitted the letters of support to the governor's office," he said even as he deflected the question if these letters were an effort to pre-empt the Centre's action leading to the dissolution of the House.
"We are not aware about that (Centre's intention) but we have submitted the letters of 160 MLAs along with their signatures and their affidavits have also been sent to the honourable Supreme Court," Chavan said soon after submitting the letters.
There are also letters from MLAs of smaller parties like the Samajwadi Party and Raju Shetti's Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna, Chavan said.
When asked if the delegation will try and meet the governor in person and submit these letters to him again, Chavan said, "That could happen but we have submitted the letters for now. The intention is to let the governor know that we have the majority and the letters of support is the proof."
12:49 Scindia drops Congress links from Twitter bio
When you're unhappy and you want the world to know it, change your Twitter bio.
Former Union minister and former Congress MP from Guna-Shivpuri, Jyotiraditya Scindia, who has been unhappy with his party ever since he was cast aside for the Madhya Pradesh CM's post, has changed his Twitter bio, dropping any reference of the Congress party or his former portfolios.
His Twitter bio now says he is a public servant and cricket enthusiast only.
Earlier, it read, Former Member of Parliament, Guna (2002-2019) | Former Minister for Power (I/C); MoS Commer & Industry; MoS Communications, IT & Post.
If you recollect, Scindia had put his CM Kamal Nath's government in the dock on the issues of loan waivers and power cuts.
Responding to speculations, Scindia tweeted, "I don't know why is this being pulled out now. I had changed it almost a month back. That too because I was getting constant feedback that it was very long."
Scindia has also differed from the party's stance on revocation of Article 370 from J-K, when he tweeted his support creating a huge political controversy.
Will he follow in his aunt, Vasundhara Raje Scindia's, steps? Wait and watch.
Can anything get more interesting than Indian politics?
12:31 BJP will get befitting reply in Maha assembly floor test: Cong
The Congress' alliance with the NCP and Shiv Sena has the support of 154 MLAs, the party said on Monday minutes after the Supreme Court reserved its order on a petition by the three parties on the formation of a new government in Maharashtra.
The BJP will get a "befitting reply" in the floor test in the Maharashtra assembly, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters. The Supreme Court will give its order on Maharashtra government formation on Tuesday, the apex court said while hearing the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine's plea against the governor's decision to swear in Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister.
"We reiterated that democracy has been murdered in Maharashtra and the constitution has been trampled upon...We have given the affidavit of 154 MLAs supporting us and their number will go up when MLAs are freed from BJP's jail... BJP will get a befitting reply after the floor test," Surjewala said. -- PTI
Image: Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi leads the party's protest in the Parliament premises over the Maharashtra government formation issue.
12:27 SC gives Fadnavis-Ajit Pawar get 24-hour breather
Update on the SC order adjourning the hearing on the floor test to Tuesday.
The Supreme Court will give its order on Maharashtra government formation on Tuesday, the apex court said while hearing the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine's plea against the governor's decision to swear in Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister.
As uncertainty in the state mounted, the Centre on Monday maintained that the BJP had the support of all 54 NCP MLAs to form a government in Maharashtra and asked the Supreme Court for two to three days to reply to the plea against Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's decision.
Appearing for the Shiv Sena, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said the combine has affidavits from 154 Maharashtra MLAs and the BJP should be asked to prove its majority within 24 hours if it has the numbers.
The Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP has filed a plea against the governor's decision to swear in BJP leader Fadnavis as chief minister and NCP's Ajit Pawar as deputy chief minister in the early hours of Saturday. The Centre told a bench comprising Justices N V Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna that the governor had in absolute discretion invited the largest party to form government on November 23.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the top court the Maharashtra governor is not supposed to conduct a roving and fishing inquiry to ascertain which party has the numbers to form government. The question is, he said, can a party come and seek the court's intervention to hold a floor test within 24 hours. Mehta said the governor was cognizant of the facts and the situation after poll results that had led to President's rule being invoked in the state.
The apex court, after perusing Koshyari's letter inviting Fadnavis, said it has to be decided whether or not the chief minister enjoys majority support on the floor of house. The solicitor general explained that the governor had invited Shiv Sena, BJP and NCP for government formation and President's rule was imposed only after they failed.
Senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for Ajit Pawar, told the bench that the governor rightly invited Fadnavis to form government. Opening his arguments, Sibal, appearing for the Shiv Sena, referred to Uddhav Thackeray being declared the next Maharashtra chief minister at a press conference of the three parties.
"Where was national emergency to revoke President's rule at 5.27 am and CM being administered oath at 8 am next morning," Sibal asked. Sibal referred to the alleged haste by which President's rule was revoked and a new government was formed in Maharashtra and said it has never been done in history.
"(Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress) Combine has affidavits of 154 Maharashtra MLAs supporting it. If the BJP has numbers, then they should be asked to prove majority within 24 hours," Sibal said.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the NCP and the Congress, termed it a "fraud of the worst kind" and asked whether a single NCP MLA told Ajit Pawar that he supported him to go with the BJP.
As the hearing began on Monday morning, Mehta submitted letters of the governor and Fadnavis as asked by the bench on Sunday. The apex court said it is not considering the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress' combine's plea that they be invited to form government in Maharashtra. PTI
12:20 NCP, Cong, Sena will form govt in Maharashtra: Sharad Pawar
NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Monday asserted that his party along with the Congress and Shiv Sena will form government in Maharashtra. Addressing reporters in Karad town in Satara district, he reiterated that the decision of aligning with the BJP was of his nephew Ajit Pawar and not the NCP.
"It is not the party's decision and we do not endorse it," the NCP patriarch said. Asked whether the NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena will form government in the state, he said, "There is not an iota of doubt that the government (of the combine) will be formed in Maharashtra."
"It is a fact that BJP didn't have the majority and that is why they had not formed the government, they had even written to the Governor initially that they don't have the majority and hence will not form the government." Sharad Pawar said.
He also said that he has no contact with his nephew, who rebelled against the NCP. On whether Ajit Pawar will be expelled from the NCP, he said the decision will be taken at the party-level. "This is not something for which a single individual takes a decision, it has to be decided by the party when the matter comes before it," he said. -- PTI
12:06 SC order on floor test at 10:30 am tomorrow
Just in: The Supreme Court on Monday said it will pass its order at 10.30 am on Tuesday on the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine's plea against the Maharashtra governor's decision to swear in Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister. A bench comprising Justices N V Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna is likely to pass an order on holding of a floor test. The combine was pressing that the floor test be ordered today itself which was opposed by Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Kapil Sibal (who is representing the Shiv Sena): To ensure that the Speaker is one who enjoys the confidence of the House, I request you exercise your jurisdiction under A 142 and pass orders. If BJP has majority, why is it worried? I am happy to lose on floor of Maha Assembly."
Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Congress and NCP to SC, sought immediate floor test.
Mukul Rohatgi for BJP refers to constitutional provisions, says procedures of assembly like pro-tem speaker cannot be interfered with. Parties are seeking direction to governor, who is immune, to act as per their wishes.
12:03 RS marshals shed military-style uniform, back in Indian attire
A week after their military-style uniforms created a controversy, Rajya Sabha marshals on Monday were again back in traditional Indian attire but without the 'pagri'. The two marshals, who flank the Chair, came to the House wearing dark coloured Indian bandhgalas, a dress that a Congress member remarked was "very smart." The marshals were seen in military-style outfits with caps in place of traditional Indian attire comprising turbans when the Rajya Sabha's landmark 250th session opened last Monday. While the dress code of the marshals had changed, the uniform of nearly a dozen ushers who stand at the back of each row to fetch papers and assist MPs had remained unchanged. They had continued to don Indian attire with a pointed pagri or headgear. The uniform of ushers remained unchanged on Monday. Customarily, the presiding officer of the House is flanked by two marshals who march ahead of the chairman to announce commencement of proceedings and also assist the chair in organising the desk and bringing up order papers.
Image: Dress change: Rajya Sabha marshals on Monday were back in traditional Indian attire but without the 'pagri'. The composite image shows the new military-style uniform which, after a lot of hue and cry, has been replaced by the old uniform.
11:52 Fadnavis went to guv with support of 170 MLAs: Rohatgi tells SC
So here's what senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing BJP's Devendra Fadnavis told the Supreme Court today.
Rohatgi said Fadnavis approached Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari with the support of 170 MLAs to form the government, following which President's Rule was revoked and he was sworn-in.
"NCP through Ajit Pawar wrote a letter with 54 MLAs signature support. I went to Governor with [support of] 170 MLAs to form the government and my claim was accepted. Thereafter, President Rule was revoked and I was sworn in," Rohatgi said while representing Fadnavis.
A bench of Justices N V Ramana, Ashok Bhushan, and Sanjiv Khanna was hearing a petition filed by Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress against the decision taken by the Maharastra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to invite BJP and NCP to form the government in the state.
"One Pawar is with them (Sharad Pawar), one Pawar is with me [Ajit Pawar], it may be a family feud. It is not me indulging in horse-trading, they are. The three parties tried horse-trading and accusing the same price on us," Rohatgi further told the bench.In a special hearing yesterday, the top court had asked the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to produce relevant documents including Maharashtra Governor's letter inviting BJP to form the government and letter of support of MLAs today.
This came after the BJP formed the government on Saturday morning when Devendra Fadnavis took oath for the second consecutive term as the state Chief Minister, with NCP's Ajit Pawar as his Deputy Chief Minister.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal represented Shiv Sena and his colleague Abhishek Manu Singhvi represented Congress-NCP in the apex court. Maharashtra BJP unit was represented by Mukul Rohatgi.BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena bagged 56 seats, 54 seats went to NCP while Congress secured 44 seats in the 288-member Assembly. -- ANI
11:39 Sena asks SC for floor test in 24 hrs in daylight
NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena joint petition in Supreme Court: Justice Sanjiv Khanna says, while citing the past judgement of the court in similar cases, floor test was done in 24 hours in most of the cases, in some - 48 hours.
Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Maharashtra govt, says in Supreme Court: I will file affidavit on the plea. There is no need for interim order in the case.
Kapil Sibal, appearing for Shiv Sena asks, what was the national emergency that President rule was revoked at 5.17 am and swearing in was at 8 am? President rule was revoked at 5.17 am that means everything happened before 5.17.
"Floor test should be conducted in 24 hours. Senior member of House should conduct it with videography & single ballot. It is done in the cover of night so that for some, new opportunities come knocking; let floor test be conducted in full light.
Abhishek Manu Singhvi representing NCP & Congress: When both the groups are open for Floor Test, why should there be a delay? Does a single NCP MLA here say we will join the BJP alliance? Is there a single covering letter saying this. This was the fraud committed on democracy.
Image: A letter by Congress-NCP -Shiv Sena handed over at the Raj Bhawan staking claim to form government, saying that the present govt doesn't have the numbers.
11:31 Guv's call on govt formation immune to review: SG
Updates from the SC hearing on the Cong-Sena-NCP plea.
-- Tushar Mehta, who is representing the Centre tells the SC: Particular time frame cannot be asked to be implemented on mere apprehension of a particular party.
-- BJP to SC: Matter fraught with serious consequences, governor's discretionary power cannot be judicially reviewed. Governor's action, calling a party to form government, is immune from judicial review.
-- Centre to SC: Grant us 2-3 days' time to file a reply.
-- Sr advocate Maninder Singh appears for Ajit Pawar, says he represents NCP, and Maha guv rightly invited Fadnavis to form govt.
Image: Ajit Pawar with Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal and Sharad Pawar before he changed sides.
11:18 No party can ask for floor test in 24 hours: SG to SC
Update on Cong-NCP-Sena hearing in SC:
Advocate Mukul Rohatgi who is representing the BJP to SC: I met Ajit Pawar; he had support of 54 NCP MLAs so governor asked him to form govt. It's nobody's case that letters have been forged and the governor acted correctly so it is an end of their case. Whether CM enjoys majority support has to be decided on the floor of the House.
"The governor's action, calling a party to form government, is immune from judicial review. Now question is can this court say whether floor test can be ordered within a particular time frame."
SG Tushar Mehta who is representing the Centre: "Nobody is disputing that floor test is ultimate test, but no party can say it has to be conducted in 24 hours."
11:11 Not guv's job to inquire on numbers: SG
SC is hearing the Cong-NCP-Sena plea on government formation in Maharashtra:
-- The SC peruses Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's letter inviting Devendra Fadnavis to form government in the state.
SG Tushar Mehta explains Maha governor had invited Shiv Sena, BJP and NCP for govt formation and President's rule was imposed only after they failed. The governor was not supposed to conduct a roving, fishing inquiry to ascertain which party has numbers to form govt. He asks for time to file a detailed reply on the Governors behalf. Mehta says Governor Koshyari waited from October 24th to November 9th but no party came forward to form the government. "Question is, can a party come, seek court's intervention to hold floor test within 24 hours?" the Centre asks SC. "Grant us two or three days' time. Let us file a reply. The Governor has an absolute discretion invited the largest party on November 23, " the SG said.
"My Lordships would have heard about horse-trading but this could be a case where the entire stable has been stolen," SG Tushar Mehta tells SC.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi for BJP and some independent MLAs refer to Maha Dy CM Ajit Pawar's letter supporting Devendra Fadnavis. "One Pawar is with me, another Pawar is here in SC," Advocate Mukul Rohatgi tells the court.
The Supreme Court on Monday commenced hearing on a plea filed by the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine against the Maharashtra governor's decision to swear in Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister.
10:55 Will not consider Sena's plea to form govt: SC
SC hearing update: After being assured that no party was in position to form government in Maharashtra, the governor recommended President's rule in Maharastra, the Centre tells the court.
The court peruses letters of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Dy CM Ajit Pawar with regard to staking claim for forming government. SG Tushar Mehta, who is representing the Centre, cites the letter by Ajit Pawar to the Governor, and says this letter contains signatures of 54 MLAs. "This letter is dated 22nd November. The list of 54 elected MLAs (of NCP) was attached to the letter and said that NCP was extending support to the BJP. The SG refers to the letter of Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar in the Supreme Court and says it had endorsement of all 54 NCP MLAs.
The Supreme Court on Monday commenced hearing on a plea filed by the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine against the Maharashtra governor's decision to swear in Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for the Centre submitted letters of Maharasthra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari and Fadnavis as asked by the the bench comprising justices N V Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna.
At the outset, the apex court said it is not considering prayer of the Shiv Sena-NCP-Cong combine that they be invited to form government in Maharashtra.
10:48 SC begins hearing Sena-Cong-NCP plea
Supreme Court hearing in Maharashtra government formation case begins as judges have assembled. The 3-judge SC bench is to the Shiv Sena-NCP-Cong's plea against Maharashtra governor's decision to swear in Devendra Fadnavis as CM.
The SC commences hearing to consider the plea of three parties that they be invited to form govt with Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray as CM. The SC says it is not considering the prayer of Shiv Sena-NCP-Cong that they be invited to form govt in Maharashtra.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for Centre submits letters of Maha Governor and CM Devendra Fadnavis in SC. The governor was cognizant of facts, situation after polls results that had led to invoking of Prez rule in state. The Solicitor General says he has original copies of letters.
10:43 Sena, NCP, Cong leaders reach Raj Bhavan
Leaders from Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress arrive at Raj Bhavan to meet Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to present their side for government formation in the state.
Addressing reporters this morning, Sanjay Raut said the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress have signatures of all their respective MLAs to prove majority in the House, which the combine will submit it to Supreme Court.
"The Supreme Court is the only institution where we still have some faith left," he said.
Raut alleged that the BJP acted like "dacoits of Chambal" to form government in the state "without having majority".
"Leaders of the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress will meet the governor today to present our side for government formation. The Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress will have at least 10 MLAs more than the BJP when the floor test will be done in the Assembly," the Rajya Sabha member said.
The government formation in Maharashtra has come under the Supreme Court's scrutiny with the Centre being asked to produce before the court on Monday morning the letters of the Governor inviting Devendra Fadnavis as well as the communication of the BJP leader staking his claim.
10:39 Tharoor, Karti visit Tihar Jail to meet Chidambaram
Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Karti Chidambaram arrived at Tihar Jail to meet fellow Congressman P Chidambaram on Monday. Chidambaram, a former union minister, is currently lodged in Tihar jail under judicial custody after the ED arrested him last month in connection with the INX Media money laundering case.
"Chidambaram is our party's senior leader and my colleague. We have come to meet him," Tharoor told ANI.
10:32 Bhujbal fails to convince Ajit Pawar to return
Nationalist Congress Party leader Chhagan Bhujbal has failed to convince Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to rethink his decision to ally with the BJP and return to the NCP.
Bhujbal met Pawar at the latter's residence amid the ongoing political tussle in the state.
This meeting is crucial since NCP chief Sharad Pawar has earlier removed Ajit Pawar from the post of party's legislature leader. But Ajit Pawar has said that he is in the NCP and his uncle Sharad Pawar is "our" leader.
Earlier, Bhujbal said that Sharad Pawar did not direct anyone to do anything, nor did he agree to anything with regard to the Maharashtra government formation.
"This thing is very clear that Pawar Sahab did not direct anyone to do anything, neither he agreed to anything. If there would have been something, he would have told everyone (NCP leaders). Later, he (Sharad Pawar) made it clear that whatever has happened is not correct so we have to trust these things. We are the witness to these things," Bhujbal said while speaking on the government formation in Maharashtra state.
On being asked about his view on the 'Twitter war' between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, he said, "Two parties have been formed. Pawar Sahab is also keeping forward his views like him (Ajit Pawar). People will understand what is right and wrong."As of now, MLAs of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress are staying at different hotels in Mumbai whereas the date of floor test in Maharashtra assembly is yet to be announced.
10:20 Timeline on the day ahead for Maharashtra
10:00 am: The Congress parliamentary strategy group meets at party chief Sonia Gandhi's residence in Delhi in the backdrop of the Maharashtra political situation. Congress likely to raise the issue of Devendra Fadnavis' swearing-in along with Ajit Pawar in both houses of Parliament.
To bring you up to speed on what's happening on Maharashtra:
10.30 am: The Centre must produce the letters of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claiming majority and that of the Governor inviting to form government, the Supreme Court said on Sunday after hearing a petition of the Shiv Sena, Congress and Sharad Pawar's NCP against Saturday's extraordinary government formation in the state. The letters have to be submitted by 10:30 am today.
9:40 am: The Shiv Sena hits out at BJP, says those who did not respect their 25-year-long friendship with the Uddhav Thackeray-led party will one day dump NCP leader Ajit Pawar as well.
9:09 am: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accuses the BJP of disregarding the Constitution in Maharashtra and repeating the "game" it played in Karnataka.
10:12 Cong parliamentary strategy group meets
The Congress parliamentary strategy group, which includes Ghulam Nabi Azad, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and K C Venugopal, met on Monday at party chief Sonia Gandhi's residence in New Delhi.
The meeting comes in the backdrop of the Maharashtra political situation, with the Congress likely to raise the issue of Devendra Fadnavis' swearing-in along with Ajit Pawar in both houses of Parliament. Government formation in Maharashtra has come under the Supreme Court's scrutiny with the Centre being asked to produce before the court on Monday morning the letters of the Governor inviting Devendra Fadnavis as well as the communication of the BJP leader staking his claim.
After Fadnavis returned as the chief minister on Saturday, the Shiv Sena claimed that the Sena-NCP-Congress combine has a support of 165 MLAs and can comfortably prove its majority in the Assembly. The BJP has claimed that Fadnavis had the support of 170 MLAs. The majority mark in a House of 288 is 145. PTI
Image: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury arrives at the meeting.
09:58 Those who ditched us will also dump Ajit: Saamna
The Shiv Sena on Monday launched a scathing attack on the BJP, saying those who did not respect their 25-year-long friendship with the Uddhav Thackeray-led party will one day dump NCP leader Ajit Pawar as well.
An editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' also targeted Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, saying his rebellion has failed and it will be proved in the next few days. Devendra Fadnavis took oath as chief minister like a "thief on the run", it said in sarcastic remarks.
"It is height of cheating as the governor accepted a letter of support submitted by Ajit Pawar which he had stolen from his party office. We don't want to insult this institution by calling it 'shamelessness'," the Sena said.
Fadnavis and his followers, who earlier wanted to put Ajit Pawar behind bars, are now chanting slogans in support of the chief minister and his deputy for new government formation, it noted. In a dramatic turn of events, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were sworn in as chief minister and deputy chief minister respectively by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at 8 am on Saturday at a hush hush ceremony in Raj Bhavan, leading to the lifting of the President's rule in the state.
The BJP was propped up by NCP's Ajit Pawar who revolted against his party headed by his uncle Sharad Pawar. The BJP and the Sena, which fought the last month's Assembly polls in an alliance, secured a comfortable majority by winning 105 and 56 seats respectively.
The Sena, however, broke its three-decade-long ties with the BJP after the latter declined to share the chief minister's post.
Image: Nationalist Congress Party leader Chhagan Bhujbal reaches Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's residence to talk to him.
09:42 Tharoor visits Tihar jail to meet Chidambaram
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday visited Tihar jail in New Delhi to meet former finance minister P Chidambaram.
Chidambaram was first arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation on August 21 in the INX Media corruption case and was granted bail by the Supreme Court on October 22.
He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the money laundering case on October 16 and is in judicial custody till November 27 under the order of a trial court.
Tharoor was accompanied by Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram. -- PTI
09:36 BJP will prove majority in Maharashtra: Athawale
Union Minister and Republican Party of India chief Ramdas Athawale on Sunday exuded confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party will be able to prove the majority in Maharashtra Assembly.
Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were sworn in by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at 8 am on Saturday at a hush hush ceremony in Raj Bhavan in Mumbai after dramatic midnight developments, leading to the lifting of the President's rule.
The BJP was propped up by NCP's Ajit Pawar who revolted against his party headed by his uncle Sharad Pawar. Ajit Pawar was made the deputy chief minister.
Speaking to reporters in Kanpur, Athawale said," I am confident that many MLAs will come with us. There is no pressure on any MLA. They can come to us on their own will. They will be welcomed. The Fadnavis government will prove its majority on November 30."
He said Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and Congress should have decided to to form the government earlier.
"Farmers in Maharashtra want a government, which can resolve their problems, and also do good to the common public," he added.
In the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, BJP is the single largest party with 105 MLAs, followed by Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress party having 56, 54 and 44 members respectively. -- PTI
09:27 BJP disregarding Constitution in Maharashtra: Priyanka
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of disregarding the Constitution in Maharashtra and repeating the "game" it played in Karnataka.
The Congress had accused the BJP of poaching MLAs to form the government in Karnataka earlier this year.
"Have we reached the stage of open kidnapping of the mandate?" Priyanka Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi. -- PTI
09:20 Maha govt formed at night, will cease to be at night: NCP's Jayant Patil
Training guns at the newly-formed Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Maharashtra, Nationalist Congress Party leader Jayant Patil on Monday said that the government which was formed at night will cease to be at night as well.
"A government that was formed at night, will cease to be at night. Only the chief minister (Devendra Fadnavis) and deputy chief minister (Ajit Pawar) are there in the government, so they are meeting each other. They will divide all the portfolios among themselves," Patil said.
Several leaders, including Jayant Patil and Chhagan Bhujbal from NCP and Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde visited the NCP MLAs who are staying at Hyatt hotel in Mumbai.
"We will form a strong and stable government in the state. NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackerey have spoken to the MLAs. They told them that the Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress have the majority and will soon form a government which will work for the welfare of the people," Shinde said.
Retorting to Ajit Pawar's remark on "BJP-NCP alliance", Bhujbal said he was trying to create a false perception among the people regarding the government formation in the state.
"Ajit Pawar had tweeted to create a false perception among the people, so Sharad Pawar took to Twitter to clear the party's position," Bhujbal said. -- ANI
08:43 52 MLAs are with us: NCP's Nawab Malik
Two out of four Nationalist Congress Party MLAs who went 'missing' after attending the swearing in of Devendra Fadnavis as Maharashtra's chief minister along with NCP's Ajit Pawar as his deputy have reached Hyatt hotel in Mumbai on Monday.
NCP leaders said that the two MLAs -- Daulat Daroda and Anil Patil -- were lodged in a hotel in Gurugram and came back to Mumbai along with Nationalist Youth Congress president Dheeraj Sharma and Nationalist Student Congress chief Sonia Doohan on late Sunday night.
Another lawmaker Nitin Pawar had already reached Mumbai on Sunday while NCP MLA Narhari Zirwal is currently at a safe location in Delhi, party leaders said.
The MLAs who have returned have pledged their support to the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, which won 54 seats in the recently concluded assembly elections.
Meanwhile, following the recent development, NCP leader Nawab Maliksaid that 52 MLAs have come back to Sharad Pawar-led party.
"52 MLAs of the party have come back to us, one more is in touch with us," Malik said.
On Sunday evening, all NCP MLAs were moved to hotel Hyatt in Mumbai, citing security concerns.
Image: NCP MLAs Anil Patil (3rd from right in yellow shirt) and Daulat Daroda (5th from right in yellow shirt), who were reportedly missing, have been brought to Mumbai from Delhi. Photograph: ANI
08:29 Ajit Pawar, Fadnavis hold late night meet
After remaining ensconced in his south Mumbai residence throughout Sunday, Nationalist Congress Party leader and newly-anointed deputy CM Ajit Pawar met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis late night and held closed-door discussions.
Earlier on Sunday, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre, Maharashtra government, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar on a plea filed by the Congress-Shiv Sena-NCP combine seeking quashing of the governor's November 23 order inviting the BJP leader to form government.
Senior BJP leaders Chandrakant Patil, Vinod Tawade and Girish Mahajan attended the meeting held at the official residence of the chief minister, the party sources said.
The apex court directed the Centre to place before it on Monday morning the letters of the governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari inviting Fadnavis and of the BJP leader staking his claim to form the government in the state.
A late night tweet from the CMO Maharashtra, however, said the CM and the deputy CM discussed various measures for rain-hit farmers.
"CM @Dev_Fadnavis and DCM @AjitPawarSpeaks today met and discussed on various measures for additional support & assistance to unseasonal rain affected farmers. Tomorrow it will be further discussed with the Chief Secretary & Finance Secretary".
In a dramatic turn of events in Maharashtra, President's Rule was lifted on Saturday morning, following which Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were sworn in as chief minister and deputy chief minister, respectively, by the
governor.
The development came hours after the new alliance of Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress arrived at a consensus that Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will be their chief ministerial candidate. -- PTI
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