BJP and Sena have not been able to form government 15 days after the Maharashtra election results.
Devendra Fadnavis has resigned as Maharashtra Chief Minister hours before the Maharashtra government formation deadline ends. Amid other political developments in the state, Shiv Sena MLAs are set to be taken to a hotel in Mumbai's Madh Island.
The war of words between the BJP and Shiv Sena escalated on Friday with neither parties showing any signs of backing down. The BJP should form government as the single largest party, said Sena MP Sanjay Raut, and take "not 15 days but one month" to prove its majority.
After the Shiv Sena, the Congress today sequestered its MLAs to Jaipur in Congress-ruled Rajasthan. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar claimed that "Rs. 25 crore to Rs. 50 crore" was being offered to MLAs to switch sides and quoted the Shiv Sena as claiming that its MLA was offered Rs. 50 crore.
The deadline for government formation is midnight on Friday and 15 days after the Maharashtra election results on October 24, the BJP-Sena feud remains unresolved. The Shiv Sena has refused to back down on its demand for a "50:50" partnership with the BJP, including rotational chief ministership.
But the BJP has also not budged from its stand that Devendra Fadnavis will be Chief Minister for a full term, with no time-share with the Shiv Sena.
The BJP yesterday met with Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and said it had discussed the legal implications of the delay in government formation.
Here are the Highlights on the political crisis in Maharashtra:
BJP party workers perform rituals 'yagna' praying that BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis forms the state government again
Shiv Sena MLAs are now leaving Hotel Rangsharda in a bus. They are going to Madh Island
Shiv Sena MLAs are now leaving Hotel Rangsharda in a bus. They are going to Madh Island.
Family Has Worked For People For Generations, Have Never Been Known To Lie: Uddhav Thackeray
"From generations now, my family has been working for the welfare of people. We have never been known to betray people."
Criticised Policies, Not PM Modi, Says Uddhav Thackeray
"I criticised the policies, not Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I was the first to congratulate after the centre's decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status."
Won't Go Back On Chief Minister Demand, Made A Promise To My Father, Says Uddhav Thackeray
"I had made a promise to my father that Maharashtra's Chief Minister will be from the Shiv Sena. I dont need anyone's permission to fulfil this promise."
Challenge BJP To Form Government At The Earliest, Says Uddhav Thackeray
"I challenge the BJP to form government at the earliest, otherwise every party has the right to form their own combinations," Uddhav Thackeray said.
BJP Backtracked From Promises Even In 2014: Uddhav Thackeray
Even in 2014, during similar circumstances, the BJP backtracked on giving us important positions in the assembly. We are firm on our demand for CM's post.
Accept That I Stopped Communication With BJP, Says Uddhav Thackeray
"I accept the fact that I stopped communication between myself and the and BJP as they backed out on the word they gave to us over pre-poll alliance," Uddhav Thackeray said.
Clearly Told BJP Wouldn't Accept Deputy Chief Minister Post: Uddhav Thackeray
"From the very beginning, from the pre-poll alliance stage, I made it clear to the BJP that we are looking for Chief Minister's post," Uddhav Thackeray said.
Accused Of Lying By Devendra Fadnavis, Says Uddhav Thackeray
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said Devendra Fadnavis has accused him of lying. He added that he clearly told Amit Shah about Shiv Sena's "50: 50" demand.
Shiv Sena wrote a letter to the Mumbai Police Commissioner for provision of security arrangements for its newly-elected MLAs: news agency ANI
The Shiv Sena on Friday has written a letter to the Mumbai Police Commissioner to request for provision of security arrangements for its newly-elected MLAs, who will be shifted to a resort, till November 15, reported news agency ANI.
Shiv Sena has written a letter to the Mumbai police commissioner, seeking necessary protection for the party's MLAs till November 15.
The party will be shifting its MLAs from Hotel Rangsharda to Hotel Retreat in Madh Island.
"Hindutva is the biggest strength of our alliance, says Nitin Gadkari
"Hindutva is the biggest strength of our alliance, says Nitin Gadkari
"Best wishes to Devendra Fadnavis if he thinks there will again be a BJP government under him," says Sanjay Raut
Best wishes to Devendra Fadnavis if he thinks there will again be a BJP government under him, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut was quoted as saying by news agency PTI
"If we want we can form government and there can be a chief minister from Shiv Sena," says Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut
"If CM is saying BJP will form government, I wish him all the best. But I will say on behalf of my party, if we want, we can form government and there can be a chief minister from Shiv Sena," says Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut
"I called him (Uddhav Thackeray) up many times but he has not responded yet," says Devendra Fadnavis
"I have a very close relationship with Uddhavji Thackeray and it will continue. I called him up many times but he has not responded yet," Devendra Fadnavis was quoted as saying by news agency ANI
"Reports about the BJP try to buy MLAs is false," says Devendra Fadnavis
"Reports about BJP trying to buy MLAs is false. I will go and say on record that none of these MLAs from other parties will be brought into the BJP. We will form a government in the state and the CM will be from our party," says Devendra Fadnavis
READ HERE: Devendra Fadnavis Resigns As Maharashtra Chief MinisterDevendra Fadnavis resigned as Maharashtra Chief Minister on Friday with no sign of a new government and his BJP and its ally Shiv Sena no closer to forming one together. Mr Fadnavis met with Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to hand in his resignation hours before the midnight deadline for government formation.
"Shiv Sena talking about BJP in a derogatory way is unacceptable," says Devendra Fadnavis
"Shiv Sena talking about BJP in a derogatory way is unacceptable," says Devendra Fadnavis
"Would never dare to disrespect Balasaheb Thackeray," says Devendra Fadnavis
"Would never dare to disrespect Balasaheb Thackeray. We have made sure not to say anything wrong about them," says Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Governor has requested me to continue as Acting Chief Minister says Devendra Fadnavis
Governor has requested me to continue as Acting Chief Minister says Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Government Formation: "Shiv Sena will not manage to form a government in this way," says Devendra Fadnavis
"Shiv Sena has consciously made sure that there was no communication with BJP. Shiv Sena will not manage to form a government in this way. BJP wants to form an alliance, not break it," says Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Government Formation: "Me and Uddhav Thackeray have had a very close relationship," says Devendra Fadnavis
"Me and Uddhav Thackeray have had a very close relationship. I tried to talk to him on several occasions. We have not been able to reach consensus," says Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Government Formation: "No discussion to give Sena two and a half years to rule," says Devendra Fadnavis
"In the past 15 days, the statements by the Shiv Sena or their demands, we have never promised anything. No discussion to give Sena two and a half years to rule," says Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Government Formation: "Uddhav Thackeray had said all options to form a government with alliance are open," says Devendra Fadnavis
"People are happy with our work in the past which why we got people's mandate. Uddhav Thackeray had said all options to form a government with alliance are open," says Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Government Formation: "We have managed to achieve all our goals in Maharashtra," says Devendra Fadnavis
"We have managed to achieve all our goals in Maharashtra. We have fought these elections together and win them. BJP has managed to become the single-largest party in the state," says Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Government Formation: I have tendered my resignation to the Governor, says Devendra Fadnavis
I have tendered my resignation to the Governor and he has accepted it, Devendra Fadnavis was quoted as saying by news agency ANI
Maharashtra Government Formation: BREAKING: Devendra Fadnavis is currently addressing the media
BREAKING: Devendra Fadnavis is currently addressing the media
Maharashtra Government Formation: BREAKING: Devendra Fadnavis resigns as Maharashtra Chief Minister
BREAKING: Devendra Fadnavis resigns as Maharashtra Chief Minister
BREAKING: Devendra Fadnavis meets Maharashtra Governor
Devendra Fadnavis meets Maharashtra Governor
BREAKING: Devendra Fadnavis reaches Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari
Devendra Fadnavis reaches Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari
BREAKING: Maharashtra Government Formation: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut arrives at NCP Chief Sharad Pawar's residence, reports news agency ANI
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut arrives at NCP chief Sharad Pawar's residence: ANI
Shiv Sena MLAs to be moved to The Retreat in Madh Island
Shiv Sena MLAs to be moved to The Retreat in Madh Island
Maharashtra Government Formation: "I came here to take his advice. Pawar's opinion is that the Shiv Sena and BJP should form government," says Ramdas Athawale
With the impasse on government formation in Maharashtra continuing even a fortnight after Assembly poll results, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Friday said why wasn't the governor calling the single largest party, reported news agency PTI.
Mr Pawar said he was not aware why Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was not inviting the BJP, which emerged as the single largest party winning 105 seats in the October 21 Assembly election, to stake claim to form government.
Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Friday met Pawar here "to seek his advice" on ending deadlock over government formation in Maharashtra.
Such a situation should not prevail in a state like Maharashtra. He (Athawale) asked for advice. We have consensus that the people have given the BJP and Shiv Sena clear cut mandate."
For how long can the President or Governor wait, Mr Pawar said, adding they will have to take some decision soon.
"Our advice is you (BJP and Shiv Sena) have the mandate. You follow it," he added.
"I have had close relationship with Pawar Saheb for years...I came here to take his advice. Pawar's opinion is that the Shiv Sena and BJP should form government. He asked me to advise the two parties to form government," Mr Athawale said.
Maharashtra Government Formation: Shiv Sena and BJP have got mandate and they should form government. This is what Ramdas Athawale and me have discussed, says Sharad Pawar
Shiv Sena and BJP have got mandate and they should form government. This is what Ramdas Athawaleji (RPI Chief) and me have discussed and we agreed on this point. Also, the delay in forming government is affecting the state economically and generally as well, said NCP chief Sharad Pawar
BJP rubbishes charges of 'horse-trading'
The BJP has dismissed allegations by the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena of alleged 'horse-trading' of their MLAs and said the party doesn't indulge in such a business.
BJP Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that nobody from the BJP is in contact with legislators from either the Congress, NCP or Shiv Sena and the accusations made against it (BJP) are erroneous.
"At least half a dozen of our MLAs have received calls from some people claiming to be from the BJP. They are being lured with starting offers of Rs 25 crore each to shift loyalties," Leader of Opposition in the outgoing assembly, Vijay N. Wadettiwar, said.
Ranked amongst the most politically stable states in the country, Maharashtra, in its entire 59-year history, has witnessed spells of President's Rule only twice - for 112 days in 1980 (Feb-June) and later for 33 days in September-October 2014.
The Congress-NCP have already announced that they are ready to sit in the Opposition and urged the BJP-Sena to take steps to form the government and prevent a Constitutional crisis in the state as the prospect of President's Rule loomed ahead after Saturday.
Bid to induce MLAs, alleges Congress, takes them to Jaipur
Congress has sequestered its MLAs to Jaipur in Rajasthan, a senior leader confirmed on Friday, accusing the BJP of pursuing Congress MLAs in its attempts to reach the majority-mark.
"There have been attempts to lure Congress MLAs. We have asked everyone to record any phone call like this," Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar told NDTV.
He claimed that "Rs. 25 crore to Rs. 50 crore" was being offered to MLAs to switch sides and quoted the Shiv Sena as claiming that its MLA was offered Rs. 50 crore.
"All our MLAs are with us," he said, adding that some 15 MLAs who had quit the Congress before the Maharashtra election wanted to return. "If they want to come back, we will definitely welcome them," Mr Wadettiwar said.
While he admitted that some Congress MLAs were in Jaipur, he remarked: "Jaipur is a tourist spot... They may have gone to unwind after the hard work in elections."
The BJP has denied allegations that it is trying to pull MLAs from other parties.
Aaditya Thackeray Meets Shiv Sena MLAs At Mumbai Hotel
Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray met newly-elected party MLAs at a hotel in Mumbai early this morning.
Aaditya Thackeray arrived late on Thursday night at Hotel Rangsharda, where the MLAs are lodged to prevent poaching attempts and left about 1 am on Friday.
The Worli MLA-elect has been projected as the next chief minister by party leaders.
The MLAs will be staying at the hotel for the next two days that are considered very crucial for government formation as the term of the incumbent government ends today. They were shifted to the hotel after a meeting with Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at his residence "Matoshree".
Take necessary steps to avert President's rule: Prakash Ambedkar urges Governor
Prakash Ambedkar, who heads the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), on Thursday met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and urged him to take necessary steps to ensure that President's rule is not imposed in Maharashtra.
"If it is not, there is no option other than imposing President''s rule," he said.
He suggested that Shiv Sena, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) should stake claim to form the next government in the state.
The deadline for government formation is midnight on Friday and 15 days after the Maharashtra election results on October 24.