Highly-placed sources in the government have said Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra is likely to replace Koshyari. Kalraj Mishra took charge as Rajashtan Governor on September 9 after he was shifted from Himachal Pradesh where he was appointed as Governor on July 22.

The newly-elected members couldn't take an oath even one month after the results of the assembly polls were announced, due to political ups and downs in the state.

Supriya Sule also greeted former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with warmth and folded hands, touched him on the shoulder as he proceeded with a smile -- a never-before witnessed camaraderie among political stalwarts.

The resignation of Fadnavis came a day after the Sena-led alliance paraded 162 MLAs in an unprecedented show of strength at a luxury hotel in Mumbai on Monday night indicating that the numbers were stacked heavily against the BJP. The alliance, which is expected to have a Common Minimum Programme(CMP), was stitched after hectic parleys involving Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Meanwhile, the BJP said on Tuesday that it would function as a strong opposition in the Assembly. A meeting of party MLAs and senior leaders was held in the evening.

Addressing reporters on Tuesday, former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused the Shiv Sena of being desperate for the chief minister's post and surrendering its "Hindutva" at the feet of Congress president Sonia Gandhi only to keep the BJP out of power. Referring to that comment, Thackeray said he is ready to speak on any issue the BJP wants him to and that he was not the one who gets scared.

Uddhav Thackeray was elected by the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine on Tuesday evening as its a nominee for Maharashtra's CM post, following the resignation of Devendra Fadnavis whose second stint as Chief Minister lasted only 3 days. The Sena supremo met the Governor and staked claim to form government in the state. Thackeray was accompanied by legislature party leaders of the three parties as he headed for Raj Bhavan to meet Governor B K Koshyari, a Sena leader said.

After over a month of complexed political manoeuvres, finally, on November 26, Maharashtra's political situation now looks clear. Through the day, we saw Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar step down from their posts after the Supreme Court ordered a floor test before 5 pm on Wednesday. In the second half of the day, the attention shifted to the NCP and the Shiv Sena who chose the leader of the Maha Vikas Aghadi as Uddhav Thackeray and declared him as their CM candidate. Ajit Pawar also tried to sort out things at his end as he went to meet his uncle Sharad Pawar at his residence.

Former NCP legislative party leader and nephew of party chief Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar has reached out to his uncle after siding with the BJP for most part of the last few days. Ajit Pawar stepped down as the Deputy CM of Maharashtra earlier today making sure that Devendra Fadnavis' second stint as Chief Minister ends in just about 3 days

Personifying his image as a Maratha warrior, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar made a grand entry at the Trident hotel on Tuesday evening with the MLAs chanting "Maharashtra cha ekch wagh, Sharad Pawar, Sharad Pawar," which means Maharashtra has only one tiger, Sharad Pawar, Sharad Pawar. Over the last few days, Pawar has proved himself to be the true kingmaker despite jolted by his nephew Ajit Pawar.

NCP Spokesperson Nawab Malik said on Tuesday that Party supremo Sharad Pawar had told him that Uddhav Thackeray will be the next Maharashtra Chief Minister. Malik speaking to news agency ANI said, "Sharad Pawar saheb had said that Uddhav ji will be the Chief Minister and Uddhav ji has also agreed to this."

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Kalidas Kolambkar is set to be Protem Speaker of Maharashtra. He will shortly take oath at the Raj Bhawan here.

Before Fadnavis, his deputy Ajit Pawar tendered his resignation. Their resignation came just hours after the Supreme Court of India ordered an immediate floor test in the Maharashtra assembly.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis addressed a press conference where he resigned from his post of the CM. Fadnavis' PC comes moments after Ajit Pawar resigned as the Deputy CM of Maharashtra. IndiaTVnews.com brings to you the highlights from the Press Conference.

Pawar's resignation comes hours after the Supreme Court ordered a floor test in Maharashtra assembly for tomorrow.

This case pertains to one such situation, wherein this Court is called upon to adjudicate and maintain democratic values and facilitate the fostering of the citizens’ right of good governance, the Supreme Court said while reading out its order. 

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi welcomed the Supreme Court's order to hold a floor test in Maharashtra within 24 hours or by tomorrow. Gandhi also expressed confidence that Maha Vikas Aghadi would emerge victorious with the support of their MLAs.

Pronouncing its order on the Maharashtra floor test, the Supreme Court 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.

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.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice NV Ramana and comprising of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Ashok Bhushan on Tuesday said that the floor test will be conducted through an open ballot and the proceeding will be recorded on video. | Highlights of SC order