Governor recommends President’s Rule in Maharashtra

Mumbai, November 12, 2019: With five hours still remaining for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to stake claim for government formation in Maharashtra, the Governor has recommended President’s Rule in the state.

“The Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari having been satisfied that as the government of the State of Maharashtra cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution has today submitted a report as contemplated by the provisions of Article 356 of the Constitution”, Governor’s office stated in a press release.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging Maharashtra Governor’s decision to not extend the time given to the party to prove their ability to form government. Advocate Sunil Fernandez has filed the plea for Shiv Sena.

The delegation of Shiv Sena leaders had met Governor on Monday at 7 pm. “A delegation of leaders of Shiv Sena met the Governor and expressed their willingness to form the Government. However, they could not submit the requisite letter of support. Further, they submitted a letter requesting for three days of extension of the deadline for submitting the letters of support. The Governor expressed his inability to give any further extension”, Governor’s press release on Monday.

After that Governor had invited NCP leaders. “The Governor of Maharashtra asked the leader of elected members of the third largest party, the Nationalist Congress Party, Pawar to indicate the willingness and ability of his party to form the government in Maharashtra. Elections to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly were held on 21 October and the results were declared on 24 October. However, despite the passage of 16 days, no single party or alliance of parties has come forward with requisite letter of support from alliance partners to form the government”, the Governor had issued a press release on Monday.

It further added, “Earlier the Shiv Sena leaders met the Governor and submitted a letter expressing their willingness to form the Government; however they could not submit the requisite letter of support from the alliance partners. The Governor has, therefore, asked the leader of elected members of the third largest party, Nationalist Congress Party to convey its willingness and ability to form the government to him.”

The NCP was given deadline till 8.30 pm but before that the Governor has recommended President’s Rule.