President's Rule in Maharashtra, contrasting signals from BJP on government formation efforts

Maharashtra government formation: President's Rule was imposed in Maharashtra after President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the recommendation made by Governor BS Koshyari. Congress and NCP were still undecided about supporting Shiv Sena even by Tuesday evening. NCP chief Sharad Pawar addressed media in Mumbai alongside senior Congress leaders like Ahmed Patel and Mallikarjun Kharge. Ahmed Patel said that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday spoke with him and Sonia Gandhi.

Soon after that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray appeared before the media and said that the party will continue to hold discussions with NCP and Congress over government formation of Maharashtra.

There were conflicting signals from the BJP camp about its efforts towards government formation in the state. The BJP has made it clear two days ago that couldn't form the government as it did not have enough numbers. 

However, when Shiv Sena could not stake claim to form the government, BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said that the party was in "wait and watch" mode.

On Tuesday, there were conflicting signals from BJP camp.

Soon after Uddhav Thackeray wound up his press conference, BJP leader (and former Shiv Sainik) Narayan Rane told media that he will do 'everything' to ensure that BJP assumes power in Maharashtra. This signalled BJP's return into the ring.

But the impression was short-lived. BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar appeared before media yet again and said whatever Narayan Rane said was his "personal opinion".

Notification about President's Rule in Maharashtra was published in The Gazette of India late on Tuesday. 

Here is how events unfolded during the day:

10:46 pm: Notification about President's Rule in Maharashtra published in The Gazette of India

10:10 pm: BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said that there was no discussion on BJP core committee on BJP forming government in Maharashtra. He termed Narayan Rane's comments as Rane's 'personal opinion'. 

Narayan Rane, on Tuesday evening, said that he will do "everything" to ensure BJP forms government in Maharashtra.

9:37 pm: Sharad Pawar calls meeting of NCP MLAs on November 13

8:23 pm: Congress-NCP are fooling Shiv Sena, says Narayan Rane

8:20 pm: Delaying formation of government is not in the interest of the state, says Narayan Rane.

8:16 pm: I hope BJP forms government in Maharashtra, BJP's Narayan Rane. He added that he will do everything in his power to ensure BJP forms government.

8:05 pm: We have not filed plea against President's Rule in Maharashtra, says Uddhav Thackeray

8:00 pm: We had contacted Congress-NCP officially for support.

7:57 pm: Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray address media in Mumbai

7:50 pm: Congress' Ahmed Patel said that Uddhav Thackeray spoke with him and Sonia Gandhi yesterday.

7:45 pm: Congress and NCP clarified that no assurance of support was given to Shiv Sena. Sharad Pawar said, "We are in no hurry. We will hold discussion with Congress and then decide"

7:40 pm: ''Shiv Sena contacted Congress first for support on Sunday,'' say Congress leaders in their joint press conference with NCP chief Sharad Pawar

7:38 pm: Congress-NCP still undecided on supporting Shiv Sena

7:36 pm: Congress-NCP condemn imposition of President's Rule in Maharashtra

7:33 pm:  Congress-NCP leaders are addressing a joint press conference

7:15 pm: MNS chief Raj Thackeray expresses displeasure over President's Rule. He tweeted that President's Rule is an insult to voters of Maharashtra

7:12 pm: Congress delegation met NCP chief Sharad Pawar at YB Chavan Centre in Mumbai.

7:07 pm: SC registry asks Shiv Sena lawyer to mention the matter for hearing Wednesday morning before Court of CJI Ranjan Gogoi.

5:45 pm: Maharashtra Home Ministry further added that President's Rule will be in effect for 6 months and the central Government can end before that if it wishes to.

5:43 pm: Maharashtra Home Ministry said that Maharashtra Vidhansabha will remain in suspended animation as President's Rule has been imposed in the state.

5:39 pm: Congress delegation reaches YB Chavan Centre to meet NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

5:30 pm: President's Rule has been imposed in Maharashtra after President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the recommendation made by the Governor.

5:15 pm: Lawyers representing Shiv Sena in Supreme Court have not yet been told whether hearing on Sena's plea has been scheduled or not. The lawyers told India TV that they will file a fresh plea if President's Rule gets imposed before the matter is heard in Supreme Court.

4:43 pm: Congress leaders Ahmed Patel, KC Venugopal and Mallikarjun Kharge to meet Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai shortly

4:30 pm: Maharashtra Home Ministry may brief media around 5:30 pm over current political crisis in Maharashtra.

03:40 pm: Shiv Sena knocks on Supreme Court's door over the political situation in Maharashtra

03:24 pm: Maharashtra Governor submits report about political situation in Maharashtra

03:03 pm: Union Cabinet recommends President's Rule in Maharashtra, say sources

03:01 pm: Govt formation not possible without Congress and discussions with all 'three parties', says Nawab Malik.

"The party believes that it is not possible to form an alternative govt without the coming together of the three parties (Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena). If the three don't come together, there cannot be a stable govt in Maharashtra"

02:55 pm: Congress leaders Ahmed Patel, Mallikarjun Kharge, K C Venugopal to meet Sharad Pawar at 5 pm, says  Nawab Malik

02:47 pm: NCP empowers Sharad Pawar to form alternative govt to end political instability in Maha, says Nawab Malik.

Addressing a media, NCP leader Nawab Malik said, "Today NCP meeting was held. All 54 MLAs were present. It has been decided that looking at the uncertainty in the state, we'll empower Sharad Pawar ji to take a decision on alternative govt. A committee will be formed for the same which will be led by Sharad Pawar."

02:32 pm: Uddhav Thackeray dials to Kapil Sibal and Ahmed Patel over the issue over challenging Governor's recommendation for President's rule in Maharashtra.

02:25 pm: Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde said, "There's no issue of Congress being late, we've been alert since the beginning. We had asked them (NCP) if they've sent a letter (to Governor). Things will have to be done simultaneously, they're our partner. Whatever decision is taken, it'll be done together."

02:11 pm: Congress leader Sanjay Jha reacted on Governor recommending President's rule in Maharashtra and said, "Hoshiyari much! The Governor's decision will be challenged in the courts."

02:03 pm:  Shiv Sena may challenge Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari decision for President's rule in the state in Supreme Court.

01:55 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls a cabinet meeting just before his departure this afternoon for BRICS summit in Brazil.

01:48 pm: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has recommended imposition of President’s rule in the state, says reports

01:15 pm: We will neither support a BJP led Govt nor a Shiv Sena led Govt, we reiterate our stand. I am happy now if Congress-NCP are supporting the Shiv Sena, people will know who was cutting whose votes and who was colluding with whom, says Owaisi

01:12 pm: BJP, Shiv Sena like 'Ram and Shyam' (brothers), says AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi

12:49 pm: BJP leader Ashish Shelar met Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut at Lilawati hospital today. Raut was admitted to hospital yesterday after he complained of chest pain

12:46 pm: NCP to hold a core committee meeting in sometime

12:31 pm: Sonia Gandhi speaks to Sharad Pawar, authorises senior Congress leaders to meet NCP chief for further talks on Maharashtra govt formation

12:20 pm: Only Congress central leaders to hold talks with NCP, none of the Maharastra leaders will talk to Sharad Panwar, say sources

12:13 pm: We are in direct conversation with NCP chief Sharad Pawar over lending support to Shiv Sena. Congress and NCP will arrive at a mutual decision over the issue. Our leaders in conversation over government formation in Maharashtra, says Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge

12:11 pm: Senior Congress leaders Ahmed Patel, KC Venugopal and Mallikarjun Kharge to arrive in Mumbai today 

12:00 pm: No compromise on Chief Ministerial post in Maharashtra, clarifies Shiv Sena 

11:35 am: Maharashtra will have Shiv Sena government, says former Chief Minister Manohar Joshi

11:01 am: NCP Chief Sharad Pawar on being asked if there is a meeting scheduled today between Congress and NCP, "Who says there is a meeting? I don't know."

10:51 am: Sonia Gandhi-led Congress core committee meeting has been postponed 

10:35 am: Sharad Pawar arrives to meet Sanjay Raut at Lilavati hospital. Raut was admitted to hospital yesterday after he complained of chest pain

10:24 am: Chief Minister of Maharashtra will be from Shiv Sena, clarifies party

10:13 am: NCP chief Sharad Pawar will meet Sanjay Raut at Lilavati hospital

10:04 am: Whatever the decision, it will be taken collectively, so we were waiting for Congress' response, we can't decide on it alone. There is no misunderstanding, we contested together and are together: Ajit Pawar

09:59 am: Talking to reporters, Ajit Pawar has said NCP is waiting for a final decision by the Congress on extending support to the Shiv Sena

09:33 am: President Ram Nath Kovind accepts the resignation of Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant from Union council of ministers, says official spokesperson

09: 15 am: Sanjay Raut in an early morning tweet said, "A boat does not cross if it fears the waves, those who try never lose. We will triumph, indeed."

08:39 am: Uddhav Thackeray and Aditya Thackeray likely to meet Shiv Sena MLAs in Mumbai's Madh Island resort after 10 am.

08:17 am: NCP core committee meeting at 1:00 pm today

08:13 am: NCP MLAs to meet at 11:00 am in Mumbai, to hold discussions on government formation in Maharashtra

08:08 am: Congress to hold a meeting with its leaders at 10:00 am today

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