Maharashtra LIVE: SC to hear Shiv Sena, allies' plea at 11.30 am today

BJP's Devendra Fadnavis sworn in for second term as CM, will have Ajit Pawar of NCP as deputy in early morning political move.

Maharashtra politics upended Saturday morning headlines when BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was sworn is as Chief Minister for a second term, with Ajit Pawar as his deputy. Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) had on Friday night pledged support to a Shiv Sena-led alliance along with the Congress.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP boss Sharad Pawar together held a press conference leader hours later to denounce the BJP. Sharad Pawar said the NCP would decide about Ajit Pawar, his nephew, hours later. The Congress party held a press conference separately to say the way the new government was "shameful".

Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP filed a plea in Supreme Court seeking a floor test within 24 hours to avoid horse-trading and "illegal manoeuvres". The SC will hear the petition at 11.30 am today.

11:27 PM

9:57 PM

SC hearing on Sunday

Supreme Court will 11.30am on Sunday hear Shiv Sena and its allies' plea against governor inviting Devendra Fadnavis to form government.

9:44 PM

BJP govt will fall Assembly elects Speaker: NCP

NCP leader Nawab Malik says BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis’s government will be defeated when the Assembly elects its new Speaker. "The government has been given time till November 30. We will defeat them in the Speaker's election. We are sure the Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP will form the government," Malik said, adding his party MLAs will stay in Mumbai.

8:08 PM

NCP sacks Ajit Pawar as leader of legislative group

NCP sacks Ajit Pawar as its legislative party leader in Maharashtra Assembly. Ajit on Saturday morning was sworn in as deputy chief minister, breaking ranks with the NCP. Ajit was sacked at a NCP meeting held by his uncle and party president, Sharad Pawar.

7:58 PM

Congress may move MLAs to Jaipur

News agency PTI reports Congress MLAs in Maharashtra maybe flown to Jaipur in Rajasthan, where the party is in power, to prevent them from lured away by the BJP. The Congress has 54 legislators.

6:45 PM

Three parties slam governor in SC petition

The Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress, in their Supreme Court plea, say Governor Koshyari's decision to install "a minority BJP government led by Devendra Fadnavis" was "arbitrary and mala fide", reports News18.com.

6:38 PM

Shiv Sena, NCP, Congress move Supreme Court

Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress move Supreme Court, file petition against Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s decision to invite BJP to form government in Maharashtra.

5:35 PM

Rebel NCP MLA attends party meeting: Reports

NCP legislator Dhananjay Munde, who broke ranks to support Ajit Pawar, arrives at party meeting held by Sharad Pawar in Mumbai: TV reports

 

5:31 PM

President's rule revoked

Central government invoked Rule 12 of its transaction of business to bypass need of Union Cabinet's nod for revoking president’s rule in Maharashtra, reports news agency PTI quoting unnamed officials

5:17 PM

BJP leaders defend Maharashtra decision

BJP working president J P Nadda and union minister Prakash Javadekar defend BJP forming the government in Maharashtra. Nadda says the Devendra Fadnavis government will be stable. Javadekar accuses Shiv Sena of betraying the BJP.

4:49 PM

Uddhav Thackeray meets Shiv Sena MLAs: Report

Shiv Sena is meeting his party MLAs in Mumbai’s Hotel Lalit, reports India Today channel. He had earlier accused the BJP of "shamelessness" and "shattering" democracy after his former ally took power in the state. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has dared BJP to lure away his party’s MLAs.

 

4:31 PM

BJP Workers celebrate outside the Mumbai party office

BJP workers and supporters celebrate outside the Mumbai party office.

BJP workers celebrating at Mumbai BJP HQ | Photo: Kamlesh Pednekar

4:29 PM

BJP formed illegal govt by acting as contract killer for democracy: Congress

BJP scared opportunist Ajit Pawar, formed illegal govt by acting as contract killer for democracy: Congress's Randeep Singh Surjewala.

4:27 PM

NCP chief, his daughter should join Union govt: Athawale

NCP chief Sharad Pawar and his MP daughter Supriya Sule should join the Union government and help strengthen the country with their experience, Union minister Ramdas Athawale said on Saturday, which was marked by Ajit Pawar's coup to join the BJP in forming a government in Maharashtra.

4:27 PM

Maharashtra govt formation 'undemocratic', people's mandate 'disrespected': AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday termed the government formation in Maharashtra "undemocratic" and said it has "disrespected" the mandate of the state's people.

"The way the government was formed in Maharashtra is undemocratic and it disrespected the mandate of the people of the state," senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh said.