Maharashtra Government Live: Supreme Court To Hear Sena-NCP-Congress Plea Today
Catch all live updates on the ensuing drama around the formation of the Maharashtra government.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Supreme Court Adjourns Hearing For Monday
The three-judge Supreme Court bench has adjourned the case for Monday without any directive on the immediate floor test sought by Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena.
It further asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to place before it on Monday morning before 10:30 a.m. the letters of the Governor recommending revocation of President's Rule and inviting Devendra Fadnavis to form government in Maharashtra.
A bench of Justices NV Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna also issued notices to the Centre and Maharashtra government on a petition filed by the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine against the Maharashtra Governor's decision to swear in Fadnavis as chief minister.
The court issued notice to Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
The apex court declined the fervent request of Mehta seeking two days time to place the Governor's communication on record.
Sharad Pawar Replies To Ajit Pawar's Tweet
Ajit Pawar’s statement is false and misleading in order to create confusion and false perception among the people, said Sharad Pawar, NCP Leader, in response to Ajit Pawar’s tweet claiming he’s still a part of NCP.
Ajit Pawar Maintains He's Part Of NCP
He further went on to thank most of BJP’s senior party leaders who congratulated him and Devendra Fadnavis on forming the government, on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, late Sunday night.
BJP Welcomes Supreme Court Order, NCP Says Fadnavis Will Fail Floor
Hours after the Supreme Court asked the Centre to place before it on Monday the letters of Maharashtra Governor recommending revocation of President's rule and inviting Devendra Fadnavis to form government, the BJP said the court's decision strengthens its claim that Ajit Pawar continues to be the NCP's legislature party leader.
The bench declined fervent request of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta seeking two days time to place Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's communication on record and asked him to produce letters by Monday at 10.30 a.m. when the matter will be taken again.
In the special hearing on a holiday, the apex court issued notices to the Centre and Maharashtra government on the petition filed by the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine against the governor's decision to swear in Fadnavis as the chief minister.
A bench of Justices NV Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna also issued notice to Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Reacting to the court's decision, Shelar said, "The game is up for the Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena. Ajit Pawar can issue whip to the NCP legislators."
The NCP, however, claimed the Devendra Fadnavis government will be defeated in the floor test, scheduled for Nov. 30.
Reacting to the Supreme Court's decision, NCP leader Nawab Malik said, "The swearing-in took place on the basis of bogus documents. Devendra Fadnavis does not have the numbers." "It is better if he quits on his own, else face defeat on the floor of the House during the trust vote," he said.
Malik also said that out of the five NCP MLAs reported 'missing' till Sunday morning, two returned and another one posted a message on social media stating he was with the NCP.
"We expect the rest to return by evening," he said.
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.
The Congress and the NCP, both pre-poll allies, won 44 and 54 seats respectively.
Parties Hold Separate Meetings Post Supreme Court Hearing
Maharashtra BJP Bats For No Floor Test
There is no need for court to pass an order today. There was no illegality in the Governor’s decision. The court should not pass order to fix date of floor test. The three parties here [Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress] have no fundamental rights.Mukul Rohatgi, Advocate Appearing For Maharashtra BJP
Rohatgi went on to say that this is an important issue and should not have been heard this way. “The court must issue notice to the concerned parties. And hear the issues in detail. And we must spend our Sunday in peace.”
Other Highlights:
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appears for Centre, says combine does not have fundamental right to form government, their plea can't be allowed.
- Advocate Rohatgi, appearing for some BJP and independent MLAs says this plea should have been filed in Bombay High Court.
- There is no dispute that floor test is the best method to show majority, says Justice Ramana.
