BJP Forms Govt in Maharashtra, Drama Continues

In a dramatic turn of events in the ongoing Maharashtra assembly election saga, BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as CM in the early hours of 23rd Nov. They showed the support of independent MLAs and some NCP MLAs led by Ajit Pawar to get to the halfway mark of 145 seats. This has been taken to the Supreme Court by Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP.

Crux of the Matter

1. In the recently concluded Maharashtra assembly elections, BJP was the largest party with 105 seats. Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress each got 56, 54 and 44 seats respectively.

2. While there was pre-poll alliance between BJP and Shiv Sena, they could not meet common ground on Shiv Sena’s demand for sharing the Chied Minister’s post with BJP.

3. Subsequently Shiv Sena parted ways with BJP. The incumbent CM Devendra Fadnavis resigned. Shiv Sena sought the support of Congress and NCP and was invited by the governor, but they could not show the numbers in time and Maharashtra was put under president’s rule.

4. On the night of 22nd Nov, it seemed all but certain that Shiv Sena would finally be forming the government with the support of Congress and NCP.

5. In an unexpected twist, Ajit Pawar, the leader of NCP in the legislative assembly, took enough MLAs with him and showed support for BJP. With the requisite numbers, BJP staked claim for government formation on 23rd early morning. Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were sworn in as CM and Deputy CM respectively.

6. In the meantime NCP supremo Sharad Pawar publicly stated that the party does not support Ajit Pawar’s decision and their MLAs were tricked by his nephew Ajit into giving support to BJP. Notably Ajit Pawar wasn’t suspended from his party for his actions.

7. Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP approached the Supreme Court on 24th to ask for an immediate floor test. The SC has asked Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar and the governor to show the relevant documents and support letters before deciding on the matter.

Curiopedia

Ajit Anantrao Pawar is the 9th Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and an MLA from the Baramati constituency of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly politician in Maharashtra. He is the nephew of Sharad Pawar, the chief of Nationalist Congress Party. He was formerly deputy CM from 2012 to 2014 and 2010 to 2012 during Congress-NCP rule. There are allegations that as the minister for water resources he spared no efforts to help in the development of Lavasa, a project touted as a “vision of Sharad Pawar”. In September 2012, there were accusations that there had been misappropriation of funds amounting to Rs. 70,000 Crores. These allegations were made by a Maharashtra bureaucrat, Vijay Pandhare, and caused Pawar’s resignation as a minister. However, when the allegations were not proved he was reinstated as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. More Info

Curated Coverage

1. India Today – Devendra Fadnavis sworn in as Maharashtra CM, Ajit Pawar Dy CM

2. Firstpost – Devendra Fadnavis takes oath as CM: Here’s a look at the past 24 hours of Maharashtra politics in tweets

3. ANI – Ajit Pawar calls on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

4. India Today – Maharashtra: NCP MLAs shifted to Mumbai hotel, Jayant Patil says all rebels will be back

5. The Economic Times – Maharashtra: No order on floor test, Supreme Court demands letters of support

#BJP #Fadnavis #MaharashtraElections #NCP