Maharashtra govt formation LIVE: Key Congress, NCP meeting under way

Maharashtra government formation LIVE updates: NCP and Shiv Sena leaders said that the political impasse in the state would end today.

9:27 AM

Maharashtra govt formation LIVE: Shiv Sena MLAs asked to carry official IDs at Friday meeting

The Shiv Sena has asked its MLAs to carry with them their official identification documents while coming for a key meeting of the party here on November 22, said a Sena leader.

 

The direction for bringing IDs has been given to deal with a situation where the MLAs are required to be presented before Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, he said.

 

The meeting has been convened at 'Matoshree', the family residence of party chief Uddhav Thackeray in suburban Bandra, the leader said.

 

The saffron party has 56 MLA-elects.

9:22 AM

KC Venugopal, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Ambika Soni, Ahmed Patel, AK Antony and other Congress leaders arrive at 10 Janpath (residence of party's interim president Sonia Gandhi) for Congress Working Committee meet.

9:21 AM

Maharashtra Governor backed President's rule to block illegal means

Maharashtra Governor Koshiyari denied the Congress with 44 legislators an opportunity to stake claim to form government because he felt it was almost impossible for the party, unless, of course, "illegal and unconstitutional means are adopted".

 

In a report to the President recommending the central rule, Koshiyari said he didn't want to see the 'misadventure' of a floor test. He took decision on November 12 to prevent possibilities of horse-trading and corruption to garner support by parties.

 

"Moreover, I am alive to the fact that in case of such a misadventure of having a floor test there are eminent possibilities of horse-trading, corruption and other illegal means being adopted by concerned persons to garner support, which in my view must be ruled out under any circumstances and at any cost.

 

"In this regard, the developments on the eve of the aforesaid election of shifting prominent political leaders from one party to another can't simply be overlooked," the Governor's report stated.

9:19 AM

Prithviraj Chavan, Congress on Maharashtra govt formation: By evening we will leave for Maharashtra. Day after tomorrow all three parties (Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena) will meet.

9:17 AM

Congress Working Committee to meet at 10 Janpath (residence of party's interim president Sonia Gandhi) today.

9:15 AM

Maharashtra govt formation LIVE: Will soon stake claim to form govt with Congress and Shiv Sena, says NCP

"There cannot be any government in Maharashtra without the Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress. We are trying our best to resolve issues,” NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said, adding the parties will provide a stable government.

 

9:14 AM

Maharashtra govt formation LIVE: Congress, NCP in favour of 16-15-12 cabinet berth formula. Here's what this means

The formula means 16 berths for the Shiv Sena; 15 ministers from the NCP and 12 from the Congress.

9:13 AM

Shiv Sena tie-up must stress on 'secularism', says Congress

9:05 AM

Maharashtra govt formation LIVE: Congress top body meet at 9:15 am today

9:03 AM

Maharashtra govt formation LIVE: Congress-NCP to hold joint meeting on govt formation at 10 am today

To put an end to the political stalemate in Maharashtra, both Congress and NCP leaders are going to hold a meeting at 10 am on Thursday, following which there will be a joint meeting of the two parties in the afternoon, said NCP leader Prithviraj Chavan.

 

The Congress-NCP leaders are also scheduled to hold meetings with the Shiv Sena leadership on Friday in Mumbai, after which the announcements related to government formation might be made.