Maharashtra: Supreme Court to hear Sena-Congress-NCP petition at 11:30 am
What's the story
The Supreme Court will today hear a petition filed by the Shiv Sena, Congress party, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) over the hush-hush government formation in Maharashtra.
In a dramatic turn of events, BJP's Devendra Fadnavis became the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, while NCP rebel Ajit Pawar was sworn-in as his deputy.
Subsequently, the prospective three-party alliance moved the Supreme Court.
Here's more.
Details
The plea challenges Governor Koshyari and lifting of President's rule
Notably, the plea will be heard at 11:30 AM by a three-judge bench of the SC, comprising Justices NV Ramana, Ashok Bhushan, and Sanjiv Khanna.
The petition said that the Governor was "duty bound" to study Fadnavis's claim, especially when the Sena-Congress-NCP claimed that they had the numbers. It also challenges the way President's rule was suddenly lifted at 5:47 am on Saturday.
Backstory
What unfolded in Maharashtra yesterday?
In an unprecedented move, President's rule was removed, and Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar took oath as the CM and Deputy CM of Maharashtra early morning on Saturday.
Reportedly, Ajit Pawar tricked some party MLAs into attending the swearing-in ceremony and faked a letter of support.
However, up until late Friday, Sena head Uddhav Thackeray was set to become the CM through a Sena-Congress-NCP alliance.
Details
NCP head Sharad Pawar denied supporting Ajit Pawar's decision
In the aftermath of the oath-taking ceremony, a baffled Sharad Pawar, along with Uddhav, held a press conference, wherein he said that he was unaware of Ajit Pawar's decision and did not support the same.
"We don't support/endorse Ajit's decision."
He showed the testimony of three MLAs to the media, who claimed that they were taken to the oath-taking ceremony by deceit.
Quote
Maharashtra needed a stable government, not a 'khichdi': Fadnavis
Separately, after the oath-taking ceremony, Fadnavis said, "Maharashtra needed a stable government, not a khichdi government."
Ajit Pawar concurred, "We decided to form a stable government" as no other party had been able to do so.
However, Sena leader Sanjay Raut alleged, "They misled the Governor and took 10 MLAs with them."
Calling it a "black day", Congress said, "Nothing can be more disgraceful."
Poaching
Meanwhile, parties have shifted MLAs to prevent possible poaching
Keeping the political uncertainty in the state in mind, all the opposition parties have shifted their MLAs to prevent potential poaching by the BJP.
While the NCP MLAs were taken to Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai's Powai in buses last night, the Sena has taken its MLAs to Lalit Hotel in Andheri.
Meanwhile, the Congress party has shifted its legislators to Jaipur.
Events
A recap of what has happened in Maharashtra till now
To recall, Maharashtra has been facing a political deadlock ever since the results of the October 21 Assembly polls were announced.
Even though, the pre-poll alliance of Sena-BJP earned a majority, the government couldn't be formed due to tussle over power-sharing.
The Sena wanted a rotational CM policy, but BJP didn't agree.
Subsequently, President's rule was imposed on November 12, till yesterday.