Maharashtra govt formation: Highlights from November 24

Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office: CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar today met and discussed various measures for additional support and assistance to unseasonal rain-affected farmers. Tomorrow it will be further discussed with the Chief Secretary and Finance Secretary.

9 people arrested after a clash allegedly between Bharatiya Janata Party and Nationalist Congress Party workers. Case was registered against 17 people, out of which 9 have been arrested till now.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar leaves from the residence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The NCP claimed three MLAs, who among others had attended swearing-in of Ajit Pawar as deputy chief minister on Saturday, were flown to Delhi in a chartered plane by the BJP the same day. NCP chief spokesperson Nawab Malik said the three MLAs have said that they are with the party. He said while Daulat Daroda and Nitin Pawar have sent video messages saying they are with the NCP, another MLA Narhari Zirwal's message was shared on the twitter handle of the NCP.

The bus carrying Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs reaches Hotel Hyatt from Hotel Renaissance, where the MLAs were lodged earlier

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has arrived at the residence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar leaves from his residence

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said: "Today medical science is acknowledged widely and our 'Vaidya parampara' has lost its credibility because their knowledge wasn't documented. I announce setting up of 'Traditional Medicine Board' to document their knowledge."

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to introduce Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill and International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, in Lok Sabha tomorrow.

NCP leader Dhananjay Munde said: "I am with the party, I am with Pawar Saheb. Please don’t spread rumors."

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut arrives at the residence of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar for a meeting.

NCP MLA has made a sensational claim that cops were spying on them. One of the MLA said: "Cops in plain clothes are spying on us."

Yuva Swabhiman Party MLA, Ravi Rana who pledged support to BJP earlier, after meeting with Maharashtra Deputy CM said: "I congratulated him, it took time but the state now has good CM and Deputy CM. MLAs will be more than 175, it will increase even more due to what is happening in Shiv Sena."

The Punjab and Haryana assemblies will hold a one-day special session of their respective assemblies on November 26 to mark the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India, officials said on Sunday. An official spokesperson for the Punjab Vidhan Sabha said the special session will be held here at 2 p.m.

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel arrives at JW Marriott Hotel, where Congress MLAs are currently lodged. Other party leaders Ashok Chavan, Balasaheb Thorat, Sushil Kumar Shinde, & Mallikarjun Kharge are already present at the hotel.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to move its MLAs to Hotel Hyatt, due to security reasons, from Hotel Renaissance where they are currently lodged.

Congress leader Ashok Chavan tweets: "If you can't convince, confuse them."

Vinay Kore, independent MLA, supporting BJP said: "We can see that two factions have been formed in NCP. We will get to know through floor test who has the bigger faction, how many people are with Ajit dada (Ajit Pawar), how many with Pawar saab and are these two doing this together."

Nawab Malik, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) spokesperson said: "50 MLAs are with us but not everyone is at the hotel, 4 MLAs who are kept somewhere by BJP people, are in constant touch with us and will definitely come back."

NCP MLA Dilip Bankar, who was reportedly present at the swearing-in ceremony of Ajit Pawar said: "I've always been with Pawar sa'ab(Sharad Pawar). I met him and told him that my child was ill,I had to go to Nashik,so I couldn't come to meeting yesterday. We are supporting NCP and not BJP."

NCP chief Sharad Pawar refuted Ajit Pawar's claim and said that there is no question of an alliance with the BJP.

Congress leader Ashok Chavan, while addressing the media said: "Senior-most member of the assembly should be made the Pro-tem Speaker as per the precedence. BJP is trying to gain more time from the Supreme Court, you can understand the motive behind this, they are trying to poach MLAs from other parties."

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar tweeted: "I am in the NCP and shall always be in the NCP and @PawarSpeaks Saheb is our leader. Our BJP-NCP alliance shall provide a stable Government in Maharashtra for the next five years which will work sincerely for the welfare of the State and its people. There is absolutely no need to worry, all is well. However, a little patience is required. Thank you very much for all your support."

BJP leader Ashish Shelar said: "The Shiv Sena has insulted the mandate of people. The MLAs have appreciated Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar."

While addressing a press conference, BJP leader Ashish Shelar, after meeting of party legislators in Mumbai said: "In this meeting, we discussed & decided the strategy to comfortably pass our floor test. We also passed a resolution congratulating Devendra Fadnavis on taking oath as Chief Minister."

BJP's meeting has ended. The leaders are addressing a press meet.

Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray along with Aditya Thackeray, arrives at Lalit Hotel where Shiv Sena MLAs are lodged

Amid the hotchpotch of Maharashtra government formation, Ajit Pawar has changed his twitter bio to Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. 

Ajit Pawar said: "Thank you, Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji. We will ensure a stable Government that will work hard for the welfare of the people of Maharashtra."

Ajit Pawar tweets: "माननीय गृहमंत्री @AmitShah जी, आप की शुभ कामनाओं के लिए धन्यवाद|"

Ajit Pawar tweets: "केंद्रीय मंत्री @nitin_gadkari जी धन्यवाद |"

Ajit Pawar tweets: "Thanking Smt. @nsitharaman ji for conveying the good wishes."

Ajit Pawar tweets: "Thank you for your warm wishes Smt. @smritiirani ji."

Ajit Pawar tweets: "Thank you for your wishes and confidence Shri. @rajnathsingh ji."

Ajit Pawar tweets: "Thank you for your wishes & trust Shri. @JPNadda ji."

Ajit Pawar tweets: "Thank you for your warm wishes and show of faith @PiyushGoyal ji."

Party Chief Uddhav Thackeray while addressing the NCP MLAs said, "Do not worry, this relationship will go long, our alliance will go a long way". 

Meeting of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs chaired by party chief Sharad Pawar, underway at Hotel Renaissance. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut also present.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to hold a closed-door meet in the Renaissance hotel, Mumbai after the meeting with NCP MLAs concludes.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BJP State President Chandrakant Patil, and other party leaders at a meeting of the legislators of the party.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Maharashtra Govt Formation said: "Maharashtra Governor should tender his resignation on moral grounds. His actions were hand in hand with BJP, which is unfortunate."

Govt bans Bodo insurgent group NDFB for five more years

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray has also arrived at the Renaissance Hotel to meet NCP MLAs.

BJP leaders arrive for a meeting of the legislators of the party, in Mumbai.

Congress Parliamentary Strategy Group to meet tomorrow at 10 Janpath (official residence of party interim president Sonia Gandhi).

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has left from his residence for Renaissance Hotel, to meet NCP MLAs.

NCP MLA Manikrao Kokate reaches Renaissance Hotel where other MLAs of the party are staying. He had reportedly accompanied Dy CM Ajit Pawar to the Governor’s residence and was missing since yesterday. NCP chief Sharad Pawar is present at the hotel to meet the MLAs.

Sharad Pawar, daughter Supriya Sule arrives at Renaissance hotel to meet NCP MLAs

"We welcome the SC order. All the MLAs will be back by evening. Sharad Pawar is coming here to meet the MLAs. Devendra Fadnavis should resign as he doesn't have numbers. If he doesn't resign then we will defeat him," says NCP leader Nawab Malik After the Supreme Court order on alliance plea

"The midnight coup was unprecedented. There was no grave emergency between midnight & the day. It shows the intent. SC should go into all aspects otherwise it'll become a practice.," Congress Anand Sharma on Supreme Court hearing

• Supreme Court to examine the Governor's decision to invite BJP to form govt in the state
• Judicial review of Governor's call to appoint Devendra Fadnavis as CM
• Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar to also respond tomorrow
• Centre to produce all relevant records in Supreme Court tomorrow
• Supreme Court will take a call on timing of floor test tomorrow
• Supreme Court rejects BJP's plea to defer hearing by 3 days

 The Supreme Court on Sunday orders Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Centre, to produce the following documents at 10.30 am tomorrow:

• Governor's order on November 23, inviting Fadnavis to form a government
• The correspondence/letter of Fadnavis to the Governor claiming a majority

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar leaves from his residence to meet NCP MLAs at Renaissance Hotel.

Justice NV Ramana when Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Maharashtra BJP) questioned the plea for relief filed by Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena, earlier today in Supreme Court: In this court, the sky is the limit, anybody can ask for anything. Any person can ask to make him the Prime Minister.

SC issues notice to Centre, Maharashtra Govt, Devendra Fadnavis&Ajit Pawar on Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena's plea. "We request Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to produce relevant documents from Governor's letter for inviting BJP to form govt & letter of support of MLAs by 10.30 am tomorrow," the top court orders

Supreme Court issues notice to all respondents. 

The issue involved in the Governor’s decision dated 23/11/19 inviting them to form a government is unconstitutional. For the adjudication of this issue - we request Tushar Mehta to produce the two letters by tomorrow morning 10.30.

Floor test is Constitutional obligation, no formality is needed and it can be ordered: Singhvi tells SC

Complete 'betrayal, annihilation' of democracy where govt has been allowed to be formed when 41 NCP MLAs are not with them: NCP tells SC

• Singhvi refers to judgements in various cases including dismissal of Uttarakhand Congress govt, says floor test is ultimate test.
• Singhvi also refers to SC's Karnataka order, says floor test was ordered, there was no secret ballot. 

How can political party approach SC under Article 32 for violation of Fundamental Rights: Rohatgi tells SC

At Mukul Rohatgi's arguments, Justice Ramana says, "These issues have been settled. Governor cannot just appoint anyone.

"There are some things that are with the President which are not even open to judicial intervention," says Mukul Rohatgi appearing for Maharashtra BJP in Supreme Court on Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena's plea.

Rohatgi says, "There is no need for court to pass order today. There was no illegality in Governor decision. Court should not pass order to fix date of floor test. The three parties here have no fundamental rights."

"I'm appearing for BJP MLAs. The correct procedure is that notice should be issued, time should be given for reply. There is no tearing hurry to hear the matter," Rohatgi said in court.

"Why didn't the NCP-Shiv Sena form the government in so many days? Governor's decision or action is immune to judicial review. The court can only order a floor test.," Rohatgi argues in SC

• Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Congress-NCP, tells SC that 41 MLAs of NCP are with Sharad Pawar. 
• 54 is total strength of NCP, 41 MLAs wrote to Maha Governor saying Ajit Pawar has been removed as its leader
• A letter signed by 41 NCP MLAs is of today, then how can Ajit Pawar become Dy CM

November 30 deadline given by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to the ruling party to prove majority is meant to do 'something else': Sibal tells SC.

SC says none is disputing that floor test is the best method to show the majority. To which Singhvi responds: "The whole idea is to prevent horse-trading. He (Governor) should have awaited the test on the floor of the house (before swearing-in). I’ve had the privilege of appearing in all the cases (Jharkhand, Karnataka etc) and I hope Rohatgi’s best argument is not about maintainability."

 The floor test is the only method is what Bommai judgment says. The best way to decide these things is have a floor test: Singhvi

"Are you saying that there was no material before the Governor?" asks Justice Ramana

To which Abhishek Manu Singhvi responds: "Yes. We decided that Ajit Pawar is not the legislative party leader. How can he continue as Deputy CM if he doesn't have the strength of his own party? The floor test is the only method is what Bommai judgment says. The best way to decide these things is to have a floor test."

"Obligations of Governor is to form a prima facie satisfaction of the majority on a written document-document to have signatures, physical verification, satisfaction based on these things. This is the criterion," Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for NCP-Congress, says in Supreme Court

BJP counsel Mukul Rohatgi said that political parties do not have Fundamental Rights, only individuals do.

"They [opposition] should have approached the High Court," Mukul Rohatgi said .

I don’t know why there is hearing on Sunday, there should not be any hearing on Sunday. According to me this matter (Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress' plea) should not be listed, says Rohatgi appearing for Maharashtra BJP in Supreme Court

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appears for Centre, says combine does not have fundamental right to form govt, their plea can't be allowed. 

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appears in SC for some BJP and independent MLAs, says this plea should have been filed in Bombay HC

The people of Maharashtra need a government. When we are saying we have the majority we are ready to show it. We are ready to show the majority tomorrow.

Sena Lawyer KApil Sibal says Supreme Court should order floor test today itself. If BJP has a majority, let them prove in assembly. If they don’t, let us stake the claim.

Kapil Sibal is now referring to Rameshwar Prasad judgment and the order passed by the Supreme Court in 2018 Karnataka Assembly case. 

"We have seen this in Karnataka also. If they (BJP) have the majority, then let them show their majority," says Sibal

Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress seek SC direction for composite floor test today itself. 

Act of Governor recommending revocation of President's rule 'smacks' of bias: Sibal to SC 

Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar were sworn in a bizarre manner, Governor was acting under direct instructions of Delhi, Sen lawyer Kapil Sibal tells SC. 

Kapil Sibal terms as bizarre, revocation of President's rule without cabinet meeting.

Justice Ramana says the revocation of President's rule was not the issue

At 5.17 am on Saturday President's Rule was revoked & at 8 am 2 persons (BJP's Devendra Fadnavis and NCP's Ajit PAwar sworn-in as CM & Deputy CM. What documents were given?

"There are 288 members. 145 is the majority mark. Governor initially called the BJP. But they could not prove the majority. In the formation of the government, the Governor has discretion. But the discretion has to be exercised as per the judgments of the SC and Constitutional conventions," Kapil Sibal argues

The majority is 145 seats in the state. The pre-poll alliance comes first. The pre poll alliance broke down. Now, we are relying on the post-poll alliance: Kapil Sibal argues in Supreme Court, for Shiv Sena

Supreme Court's three-judge bench of Justice NV Ramana, Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Sanjiv Khanna, start hearing the joint plea of Shiv Sena, NCP & Congress against the decision of Maharashtra Governor inviting Devendra Fadnavis to form government yesterday.

NCP's Jayant Patil reaches Raj Bhawan with a letter to Governor informing Ajit Pawar's replacement as legislature party leader.

 Former CM Prithviraj Chavan, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala reach court to attend the Supreme Court hearing.

The bench of Justices Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna has assembled

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to represent Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari in the Supreme Court today

"Ajit Pawar has committed a mistake. Efforts are being made since yesterday to make him understand, he has not given any indication so far. It will be better if he realises his mistake," NCP leader Nawab Malik said.

"By this evening all the MLAs of our party will come back to us. Fadnavis ji will not be able to prove majority on the floor of the House, we demand him that he tenders his resignation," said Nawab Malik.

They say the swearing-in was done in the darkness of the night. We are people who go to 'shakha' early morning and that is 'Ram Prahar' (time)  as per our belief. How would they, who forgot lord Ram, understand the importance of 'Ram Prahar'? BJP leader Ashish Shelar said.

We will follow whatever the Supreme Court says but the Governor has given us time till 30th November, we will prove majority with 170 MLAs or more than that, he added.

Congress leader Ashok Chavan arrives at NCP Chief Sharad Pawar's residence in Mumbai

BJP's Sanjay Kakade is joining our party, says NCP leader Jitendra Awhad: Report

Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) MLA Dilip Walse Patil reaches Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's residence to meet him

49-50 MLAs of the party are with us right now, 1-2 are coming too. All the MLAs have been kept together here. NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena government will be formed in Maharashtra, 100%: NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal

Sharad Pawar is a national leader. If BJP is trying to form govt, it will not happen. It is a wrong step taken by BJP & Ajit Pawar. 165 MLAs are with Shiv Sena, Congress & NCP

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Baban Shinde arrives at NCP Chief Sharad Pawar's residence in Mumbai. He did not attend the NCP Legislative Party Meeting yesterday

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi to appear for Maharashtra BJP in Supreme Court today. SC will be hearing today at 11.30 am the joint plea of Shiv Sena, NCP & Indian National Congress against the decision of Maharashtra Governor inviting Devendra Fadnavis to form govt yesterday.

Congress MLAs being shifted to JW Marriott Hotel in Andheri, Mumbai to prevent possibilities of poaching by the BJP

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will be holding a meeting with its MLAs at the Renaissance Hotel in Powai, shortly to take a headcount of the MLAs. NCP has shifted its MLAs to the hotel ahead of SC hearing against Fadnavis swearing-in.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislative party leader Jayant Patil arrives at NCP Chief Sharad Pawar's residence in Mumbai.

BJP MP Sanjay Kakade arrives at NCP Chief Sharad Pawar's residence in Mumbai prior to the Supreme Court's hearing on the Maharashtra political crisis.

Senior Congress leaders Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Kapil Sibal will be representing NCP and Shiv Sena in the Supreme Court today, respectively, while senior advocate Devadatt Kamat will be representing the Congress.

Nawab Malik retweeted Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut's post, which read "Accidental Shapathgrahan" and captioned it with famous lines by renowned Urdu poet and Ghazal writer Jigar Moradabadi: "Ye ishq nahin asaan itna hi samajh lijiye, ik aag ka dariya hai aur doob ke jaana hai".

Shiv Sena and the NCP has relocated their MLAs to two different hotels ahead of Supreme Court hearing on Maha floor test, alleging poaching by the BJP. While the NCP shifted its MLAs to hotel Rennaissance in Powai, the Sena has lodged its MLAs in the Hotel Lalit in Mumbai.

A Central Jail inmate committed suicide by hanging himself in Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital in Indore last night. He was brought to the hospital by police for medical treatment.

The Supreme Court will on Sunday hear a joint plea of Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress against the decision of Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, inviting BJP's Devendra Fadnavis to form the government in the state on November 23.

BJP MP Sanjay Kakade arrives at NCP Chief Sharad Pawar's residence in Mumbai.

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari reaches Rashtrapati Bhavan to attend the annual Conference of Governors in Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation through his Mann Ki Baat programme, today. 

Earthquake of magnitude 6.3 on the Richter Scale occurred at 06:24 am in Alaska region, today.

Airports Authority of India organised a “Mega Wall Painting” activity as part of Swachhta Abhiyan. Artists painted wall panels at Chennai Airport. Airport Director says,'The theme is environment & swachhta. Schools & colleges are participating."

Thousands of people marched in Paris on Saturday calling for an end of femicide and other form of gender-based violence in the country and demanding the government to take strong action to prevent the same.

Air Quality Index (AQI) at 253 ('poor' category) around India Gate.

A 16-year-old girl allegedly committed suicide by jumping into a pond in the Tollygunje area here, a Kolkata Police officer said on Saturday.
People told police that she was seen walking around the pond at Ranikuthi and she jumped into it around 8 pm on Friday.

In a drive to check crime in the district, police here detained four shopkeepers for selling second-hand mobile handsets with pre-activated SIM cards.
Around 900 mobile phones and pre-activated SIM cards for which the shopkeepers could not give any explanation were seized during the drive, police said.

Twelve men were arrested for allegedly gambling in southeast Delhi's Govindpuri area and Rs 1,76,600 were recovered from their possession, police said on Saturday.

The accused have been identified as Praveen Kumar, Vinod Grover, Rahul Gupta, Kali Pad Biswas, Bisamber, Mohammad Ameen, Shah Mohammed, Durgesh, Dayanand, Naresh Kumar, Deepak Kumar and Deepak Kumar, they said.

Two men were arrested for allegedly carrying 900-gram heroin valued at Rs six crore in grey market from Dwarka's Vipin Garden area, police said on Saturday. The accused have been identified as Rohit Jundal (31) and Sarjeet Singh (32), residents of Barnala and Sangrur districts in Punjab respectively, they said.

A 35-year-old man died and three others lost consciousness after they entered a sewer to clean it in northwest Delhi's Shakurpur on Saturday, police said, claiming that the work was being carried out by a PWD contractor.

Meanwhile, a government statement claimed that the man had fallen into an open drain and Delhi PWD minister Satyendar Jain ordered an inquiry into the incident.