Maharashtra Government Formation: Governor invites NCP as Sena fails to get support

Maharashtra Government Formation LIVE News: Governor of Maharashtra BS Koshyari has refused to give more time to Shiv Sena to form government in Maharashtra. Earlier in the day, there was a bitter break up between Shiv Sena and BJP, the allies who had a standing pre-poll alliance. Shiv Sena's stand on getting the CM post was quite clear and BJP refused to budge. Amidst all this Sharad Pawar's NCP comes into the picture as the kingmaker in Maharashtra. 

Maharashtra Government Formation:

9:48 pm: Maharashtra Congress MLAs leave Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot's house post-dinner

9:30 pm: BJP's Sudhir Mungantiwar appeared in front of the media after NCP leaders left Raj Bhavan. Mungantiwar said that BJP is in 'Wait and Watch' mode.

9:18 pm: NCP leaders met Maharashtra Governor Koshyari, party leader Jayant Patil said that NCP will discuss with Congress and get back as soon as possible. He said that being third-largest party, the Governor invited NCP to form the government.

8:58 pm: NCP delegation reaches Rajbhavan to meet Governor BS Koshyari

8:49 pm: We will decide about our plan of action after getting letter from Governor, says NCP leader Nawab Malik.

8:39 pm: Former Deputy CM of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar told media that Governor Koshyari invited NCP to form government in Maharashtra

8:27 pm: Congress MLAs reach Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot's residence

Maharashtra Congress MLAs, who are currently holed up in Rajasthan, have arrived at Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot's house for dinner.

8:08 pm: Raj Bhavan issues statement, says Governor refused to give Shiv Sena more time

7:58 pm: NCP to hold press conference soon

7:57 pm: Further discussions with NCP to take place in Mumbai tomorrow, says Mallikarjun Kharge

 

7:53 pm: Watch Aaditya Thackeray's press conference

7:46 pm: "We did not get more time, but our claim to form government has not been rejected," says Aaditya Thackeray in a press conference after his meet with Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari. He said that Congress-NCP have agreed in-principle to support Shiv Sena government.

7:40 pm: Aaditya Thackeray addresses media

"We were not given enough time. We are willing to form government. We have sought more time from the Governor"

7:28 pm: Congress, in a letter, states: "Congress Working Committee met this morning and had a detailed discussion on the situation in Maharashtra after which a consultation was held with Maharashtra Congress leaders. The Congress President has spoken to Sharad Pawar ji. The party will have further discussions with NCP." 

7:07 pm: Aaditya Thackeray meets Governor BS Koshyari

Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray met Governor BS Koshyari

6:53 pm: Three independent MLAs travel with Aaditya Thackeray to Raj Bhavan

Three independent MLAs including Bacchu Kadu travelled to Raj Bhavan along with Aaditya Thackeray. Kadu told media that the MLAs support Shiv Sena.

6:35 pm: NCP chief Sharad Pawar speaks with Congress president Sonia Gandhi

6:32 pm: Aaditya Thackeray reaches Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Raj Bhavan

6:15 pm: Shiv Sena-NCP to form government, Congress to give outside support: Sources

Both, Congress and NCP have faxed their letter supporting Shiv Sena to Raj Bhavan. Sources say that Shiv Sena-NCP will form government while Congress will provide outside support

6:09 pm: Congress likely to support Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, say sources

Sources have told India TV that Maharashtra Congress MLAs are likely to support Shiv Sena to form government in Maharashtra

5:57 pm: Aaditya Thackeray on way to meet Maharashtra Governor

Aaditya Thackeray, along with Shiv Sena legislative party leader Eknath Shinde is on way to meet Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari.

5:32 pm: Shiv Sena leaders to meet Maharashtra Governor soon

Shiv Sena leaders will soon meet Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari. The Governor has granted Shiv Sena time till 7:30 pm today to stake claim to form government in Maharashtra.

5:15 pm: BJP charts its path in meeting at CM's residence

Maharashtra BJP leaders are holding a meeting at 'Varsha', the official residence of acting Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. State BJP chief Chandrakant Patil along with leaders like Ashish Shelar and Vinod Tawde are present in the meeting.

Meanwhile, NCP core committee held a meeting in Mumbai. The meeting started around 3:45 pm and ended within 15 minutes.

5:07 pm: Uddhav Thackeray speaks with Sonia Gandhi

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has held discussions with Congress president Sonia Gandhi. The discussion took place at Congress leader Ahmed Patel's residence.

5:03 pm: Nothing to worry about Sanjay Raut's health, says his brother

Sunil Raut, brother of Sanjay Raut said that there was nothing to worry about Sanjay Raut's health. He said that Raut will get discharge from hospital by tomorrow.

04:20 pm: Angiography on Sanjay Raut in Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai

Doctors have begun carrying out angiography on Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut. He was admitted in Lilavati Hospital after he complained of chest pain.

04:18 pm: More senior Congress leaders arrive in New Delhi

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushul Kumar Shinde and Prithviraj Chavan have arrived in Delhi as well.

04:09 pm: Maharashtra Congress heavyweights arrive in New Delhi to discuss strategy

Congress is going in a huddle to chart its way ahead in Maharashtra Former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan, AICC General Secretary Mukul Wasnik, Senior Congress leader Manikrao Thakre have arrived in New Delhi.

02:42 pm: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut admitted to Lilawati Hospital

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has been admitted to Lilawati Hospital after he complained of chest pain. He is undergoing Angiography.

02:28 pm: Here is the copy of Arvind Sawant's resignation letter to PM Modi

02:18 pm: Meeting between Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar ends

Sharad Pawar has left the Mumbai hotel where he was meeting with Uddhav Thackeray. As per reports, Pawar will now discuss the details with the Congress high command in Delhi and then take a call by the evening

02:13 pm: 7 BJP MLAs contacted Sharad Pawar, ready to resign if need be: NCP sources

NCP sources have told India Tv that 7 BJP MLAs have contacted their party chief Sharad Pawar. They have reportedly told Pawar that they are ready to resign if need be. As per reports, 2 of these leaders are from Satara while one is from Pune. 

02:01 pm: Why is Congress hesitating to offer support to Shiv Sena?

Even after Shiv Sena - BJP breakup seemed imminent, Congress did not jump on the opportunity to be part of the government in Maharashtra. This is because of the ideological difference between the two parties. This is the reason the Congress faces the conundrum, the local BJP leaders are reportedly willing to support the Shiv Sena but the think tank in Delhi seem to be hesitant. 

01:50 pm: Shiv Sena now has no representation in Modi Sarkaar

With Arvind Sawant having tendered his resignation to PM Modi, Shiv Sena now has no representation in the Union Cabinet. Shiv Sena, however, has 18 MPs in Lok Sabha. 

01:47 pm: Uddhav Thackeray to meet GUV at 5 pm to stake claim

Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray will meet Maharashtra Governor at 5 pm to stake claim to form government. 

01:32 pm: Arvind Sawant hints and end of saffron alliance 

Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant has quit his post of Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises

BJP president had met Uddhav Thackeray and promissed 50-50 division of power in Maharashtra. Now BJP has gone back on their promise. 

I have given my resignation letter to the honourable prime minister. 

BJP has betrayed our trust. When I have resigned, you can understand what it means.

01:15 pm: Numbers Game: How can Shiv Sena get what it wants?

To form government in Maharashtra any alliance of parties will have to cross the magic number of 144. Governor of Maharashtra did invite the majority party -- BJP -- to form the government but the party refused saying, 'we don't have the numbers'. Now the ball is in Shiv Sena's court who have time till 07:30 pm today to stake claim to form the government. 

Shiv Sena has 56 MLAs, which means they need 89 more MLAS to form a majority government in Maharashtra. BJP has 105 MLAs who are unlikely to support Shiv Sena. Which leave 127 MLAs. 

NCP has 54 MLAs and Congress has 44. Together their alliance accounts for 98 MLAs. 

Shiv Sena + NCP + Congress = 156 MLAs

If the Shiv Sena can get the support from both Congress and NCP they will be 11 MLAs clear to form a government in Maharashtra. 

01:13 pm: Congress could support Shiv Sena + NCP from outside: Sources

Congress party could support Shiv Sena and NCP from outside. The party will hold a meeting at 10 Janpath at 4:00 pm with the local Maharashtra leaders present. 

12:58 pm: Sharad Pawar will not go to Delhi, NCP to hold party meeting at 4 pm today

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar will not be going to Delhi where Congress think tank are deciding on course of action. Sharad Pawar will hold NCP meet at 4 pm today. 

12:55 pm: Uddhav Thackeray to meet Sharad Pawar soon

As per reports, the meeting of senior Shiv Sena leaders at Matoshree has ended and party chief Uddhav Thackeray has is en route to meet NCP Chief Sharad Pawar. 

12:28 pm: We are waiting for Congress to arrive at a decision: Nawab Malik, NCP Spokesperson

We are waiting for the Congress party to arrive at a decision in Delhi. Sharad Pawar had already announced that whatever decision will be taken, will be taken with consultation with the Congress party in Delhi. Once the Congress takes a decision, we will sit with them and take our decision. Untill Congress takes a decision, we will not decide on the matter. Congress will meet its Maharashtra leaders at 4 pm, after that we will decide. 

We will try to reach on a common decision with Congress. We want to form a stable government in Maharashtra but we want to do it with the consultation of Congress. 

Congress MLAs are in favour of supporting Shiv Sena-led government, but Congress Working Committee (CWC) is the supreme body to decide on their party line.

12:24 pm: BJP meeting begins at Devendra Fadnavis' residence

Meeting of senior BJP leaders has begun at the residence of Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. 

12:18 pm: Congress has called senior Maharashtra leaders to Delhi

CWC meeting has concluded. Political situation in Maharashtra was discussed. Further discussion will take place at 4 pm. All senior Maharashtra leaders have been called to Delhi. - Mallikarjun Kharge

12:12 pm: Congress CWC meeting ends

Congress CWC meeting at Sonia Gandhi's residence has ended. As per reports, Congress could offer support to Shiv Sena to form the government.

12:09 pm: Sharad Pawar meets NCP leaders, waits for Congress to take call

Sharad Pawar is reportedly waiting for Congress leaders to decide whether they want to form a government with Shiv Sena or not. 

11:46 am: Sanjay Raut could meet Sonia Gandhi today

As per reports, Sanjay Raut could travel to Delhi today to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi today. 

11:25 am: Shiv Sena MLAs sign document in support of the party for government formation in Maharashtra

10:56 am: Sanjay Raut reaches Matoshree 

Sanjay Raut has reached the residence of Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray ahead of high profile Shiv Sena meeting. Governor has given Shiv Sena time till 07:30 pm to stake claim to form the government. 

10:48 am: High-level Congress meet underway

A meeting of the Congress working committee is underway to decide on whether to support the Shiv Sena in forming the government in Maharashtra, sources said. Top Congress leaders are discussing the issue at a crucial meeting of the working committee chaired by party chief Sonia Gandhi, according to the sources.

10:35 am: It would have been easy if Governor had given us more time: Sanjay Raut

10:22 am: NCP, Congress meetings to start shortly

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar will hold a high-level meeting at his residence. The meeting is expected to begin shortly. Meanwhile, Congress CWC will also be meeting party chief Sonia Gandhi at her residence in a short while.

10:14 am: Shiv Sena is in talks with NCP since last 2 days: Sources

Sources have confirmed that Shiv Sena and NCP have been in discussions behind the scenes since last two days. 

10:10 am: Sharad Pawar reacts to Arvind Sawant's resignation

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar has reacted to Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant's resignation as Union Minister 

 I haven't had a word with anyone regarding anyone’s resignation.We'll have a word with Congress today.Whatever decision is to be taken will be taken only after discussions with Congress.

09:50 am: Sanjay Raut Press Briefing Highlights

• BJP ready to sit in the opposition but not ready to compromise on the CM post, this is an insult to the people of Maharashtra.
• BJP not ready to stand by the 50-50 seat-sharing formula agreed on by the two parties before polls.
• BJP responsible for current situation in Maharashtra

09:29 am: Sanjay Raut: If I worry about route, destiny wouldn't like it

Against the backdrop of Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari inviting the Shiv Sena to form government, party leader Sanjay Raut on Monday said if he shows concern towards the route, the destiny would not like it.

09:23 am: Mallikarjun Kharge on Maharashtra Government formation

Congress' leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge: There's a meeting at 10 am today. We will proceed according to instruction from high command. But our original decision & decision of the people is that we should sit in opposition, that is the present position. 

09:10 am: CWC meeting at Sonia Gandhi's residence

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has called for a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) at her residence later today. The agenda of the meeting will be the political situation in Maharashtra

08:56 am: Devendra Fadnavis calls BJP core group meeting

Devendra Fadnavis has called the BJP core group meeting today at his residence. This comes as Shiv Sena and NCP are in talks of forming a government in Maharashtra. 

08:44 am: Governor gives Shiv Sena deadline till 07:30 pm

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has given Shiv Sena time till 07:30 pm today to stake claim to form government. 

08:40 am: Sharad Pawar calls high-level meeting at 10:30 am

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar has called a meeting of the top leaders of the NCP at 10:30 am to discuss the possibility of offering support to Shiv Sena to stake claim to form the government. 

08:00 AM: Arvind Sawant to resign

Arvind Sawant, the Shiv Sena leader who holds the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises in the central government is expected to resign from his post in the coming hours because of the ongoing situation in Maharashtra. 

07:45 AM: What is the Maharashtra Assembly polls verdict?