Maharashtra LIVE Updates: Maharshtra Governor invites NCP to express intent to form govt

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has invited the NCP, the third largets party in state Assembly, to show its intent to form the government.

The development came after the Shiv Sena met the Governor and sought another 48 hours to form the government. However, the Governor expressed “inability” to give further time to Shiv Sena.

Keeping the suspense over the government formation in Maharashtra, the Congress on Monday said that it will have further discussion with its alliance partner Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

"The Congress Working Committee (CWC) met this morning and had a detailed discussion on the situation in Maharshtra after which a consultation was held with Maharashtra Congress leaders. The Congress president has spoken to Shri Sharad Pawar ji. The party will have further discussion with NCP," Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal said in a statement.

The statement came as Shiv Sena leaders met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and expressed their intent to from the government.

Shiv Sena leaders Aditya Thackeray and Eknath Shinde on Monday evening met Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and sought 48 hours time to form the government.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the Governor, Aditya Thackeray said responding to the Governor’s letter, Shiv Sena has expressed its intent to from the government.

He said that although the Governor did not agree to 48 hours window, he has not formally rejected the Sena’s claim and “our claim to form the government remains”.

Shiv Sena MLA Aditya Thackeray and leader of Sena legislative party Eknath Shinde met the Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at the Raj Bhavan.

The Sena, according to media reports, has sought more time from the Governor before it stakes its claim to from the government. There is no confirmation as yet that the Congress and Sharad Pawar-led NCP have given their letters of support to Shiv Sena.

The Congress in a statement has said that its leadership is holding consultations with the newly-elected MLAs of Maharashtra.

Sunil Raut, brother of Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, Since last 15 days Sanjay Sahab has been suffering from chest pain. But it's not serious.He has been admitted for routine check up. I think today evening his angiography will be performed&he'll be released in a day or two.

Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi and Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray had a brief telephonic conversation a short while back

Balasaheb gave place to BJP in Maharashtra, Advani and Vajpayee went to Bala Saheb's residence and requested him for seats. BJP overrode that, that's why Uddhav Thackeray has taken a stand that he will teach them a lesson. Now, it's for Congress and NCP to put down BJP, says Deve Gowda

“If Congress gives support to Shiv Sena, they should not disturb it for next 5 years. Then only people will trust Congress.”

With the Maharashtra governor inviting the Shiv Sena to stake claim, party chief Uddhav Thackeray now faces the biggest test of his political life to form a Sena-led government in the state, if the Congress and NCP decide to support him.

Thackeray, 59, a regional leader, stood up and held his ground against a national party (BJP) over tussle for sharing power, a political analyst said on condition of anonymity.

Now, he will have to prove his credentials as a leader who can navigate a new political path with parties like the Congress and NCP, which are ideologically different, he said.

Addressing the media in the national capital, Arvind Sawant said, "On May 21st, I had taken oath as Cabinet minister in the Modi government. The elections in Maharashtra were held on the basis of an alliance with the BJP. Prior to the polls, the two parties had agreed for a '50-50' formula over the post of chief minister. However, BJP later changed their words. In such an atmosphere, it is not morally right for me to continue. This is why I submitted my resignation to PM Modi today."

Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant on Monday announced his resignation from the Union cabinet, saying there is no trust left and it would not be proper to continue as minister when a new government is being formed in Maharashtra.

Addressing a press conference, Sawant accused the BJP of reneging on its promise to the Sena for equal division of seats and power and forcing the Uddhav Thackeray-led party to snap ties.

He alleged that the BJP was resorting to "lies" by denying the agreement reached between the leaders of the two allies before the assembly elections.