Maharashtra Govt Formation: Highlights from November 23

Justice NV Ramana, Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Sanjiv Khanna to hear tomorrow at 1130 am the joint plea of Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and Congress against the decision of Maharashtra Governor inviting Devendra Fadnavis to form the government on November 23.

BJP leader Ashish Shelar in Mumbai said: "Bharatiya Janata Party is of the view that Ajit Pawar's appointment as NCP legislative party leader was valid and appointment of Jayant Patil in his place today is invalid."

New Party Legislative leader, Jayant Patil said: "Till now we have 49 MLAs, rest 5 will be with us soon." 

"We had sent 3 MLAs to convince Ajit Pawar. He has been sacked and all the responsibilities have been given to me. The MLAs were misled and taken to the swearing-in ceremony. Most of the MLAs are back, Ajit Pawar will be back soon," he added.

Supreme Court to hear on tomorrow at 11.30 am the joint plea of Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and Indian National Congress against the decision of Maharashtra Governor inviting Devendra Fadnavis to form the government on November 23.

Congress leader Ashok Chavan said: "Devendra Fadnavis has misled the Maharashtra Governor. He must resign. NCP has the numbers, only 4-5 NCP MLAs are not in touch with the party. Ajit Pawar should return to his home (NCP)."

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs being shifted to the Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai.

Nawab Malik after the meeting of party MLAs said: "A resolution was passed unanimously that party does not endorse Ajit Pawar's decision and he has been removed as NCP legislative party leader. Till the election of new leader, Jayant Patil is given the responsibilities of the post."

After Shahapur NCP MLA Daulat Daroda goes 'missing', police complaint filed. 

Nawab Malik said: "5 of our MLAs are not in contact with us, 6 are about to arrive&rest have arrived. On the basis of numbers we have, we'll defeat the government in election of speaker itself. After which, Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government will definitely be formed in Maharashtra."

After the crucial meeting of NCP, the MLAs will stay in a hotel in Mumbai. 

Senior Advocate Devadutt Kamat for Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena said: "In our petition, we requested SC for an urgent direction for a Floor Test to be held tomorrow itself. We are hopeful the Supreme Court will hear us. Our petition has been numbered."

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said: "All the MLAs will stay in Mumbai."

Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena seek SC direction to Maharashtra governor their alliance is invited to form the government under Uddhav Thackeray's leadership. 

Congress leader KC Venugopal on Maharashtra govt formation said: "Our 44 MLAs are intact. Maharashtra Governor has bypassed all norms and regulations. Without any verification, he invited BJP to form govt. We have moved the Supreme Court. We will also raise this issue in Parliament."

Shiv Sena MLAs to stay at Lalit Hotel in Mumbai for the next two days. Reservation process underway. 

Nationalist Congress Party meet underway at YB Chavan Centre; NCP Chief Sharad Pawar present at the meeting.

Jayant Patil will be NCP's new legislative leader. Ajit Pawar has been sacked from the position. 

Ajit Pawar has been removed from the post of NCP's legislative party leader. 

NCP leader Suman Patil has reached Sharad Pawar's meeting. 

During the meeting, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray has asked all the MLAs to stay calm. He said: "I had a word with Sharad Pawar. We will figure out. We will not let BJP prove their majority on November 30." 

"We will form the government. All of us have to stick with each other," he added. 

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar met Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde. 

Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray's meeting at Mumbai's Lalit Hotel came to an end. Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, and Sanjay Raut leaves in the same car. 

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said: "Only Shiv Sena will form the government. BJP does not have the majority."

Shiv Sena has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court against Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar taking oath as CM and Deputy CM of Maharashtra respectively.

Dilip Patil may become Nationalist Congress Party's new legislative leader. 

Amid Maharashtra government formation, Ajit Pawar likely to removed from the position of NCP's legislative party leader. 

Union Minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar shows victory sign on being asked about Maharashtra government formation.

Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray left Lalit Hotel after meeting with Shiv Sena MLAs.

42 out of 54 MLAs have reached Sharad Pawar's meeting. Discussions underway. 

NCP chief Sharad Pawar spoke to Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray over the phone. 

Shiv Sena leaders Milind Narvekar and Eknath Shinde brought with them 2 NCP MLAs Sanjay Bansod and Babasaheb Patil at YB Chavan Center from the Mumbai airport. The two NCP MLAs are said to be with NCP leader Ajit Pawar.

Nationalist Congress Party leader Dhananjay Munde said: "I am with Sharad Pawar." 

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Dhananjay Munde has arrived at YV Chavan Centre for NCP meeting. 54 MLAs are present in the meeting. Earlier today, Munde was spotted with Ajit Pawar.  

As the meeting came to an end, NCP leaders said: "We want Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar to be together."

Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting with party leaders at Lalit Hotel in Mumbai. 

On Maharashtra government formation, SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav said: "Ab to lagta hai ki, 'jiska Governor uski Sarkar'."

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's meeting with NCP leader came to an end. The meeting was conducted at Ajit Pawar's brother's residence. 

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar is holding a meeting with NCP MP Sunil Tatkare and NCP MLAs Dilip Walse Patil and Hasan Mushrif at his brother Sriniwas Pawar's residence; Security has been heightened outside the residence of Sriniwas Pawar. 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said: "I am thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Modi Hai toh Mumkin hai!" 

Devendra Fadnavis said: "I am thankful to the people of Maharashtra. We will form a stable and strong government with the help of Ajit Pawar." 

Devendra Fadnavis said: "I am thankful to the people who have supported me." 

Devendra Fadnavis has reached the Bhartiya Janata Party's office in Maharashtra. 

Nine MLAs from NCP will be taken to Delhi via a chartered plane. The leaders include Dilip Bankar, Nitin Pawar Anil Bhaidas Patil among others. 

A special court in Delhi dismisses a complaint seeking directions to Delhi Police to register FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on charges of sedition, for allegedly making a derogatory statement against Prime Minister Modi. 

Congress is planning to move its MLAs out of Maharashtra. They will be moved to a Congress-ruled state.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "Throughout the election campaign, Devendra Fadnavis' name was projected as the Maharashtra Chief Minister. The support base of BJP and the prospect of Devendra Fadnavis becoming CM played a crucial role in the success of Shiv Sena candidates."

Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "Shiv Sena leaders have forgotten the principles of Balasaheb Thackeray."

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "It was a conspiracy to control Mumbai from the backdoor." 

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "There was no corruption during the regime of Devendra Fadnavis." 

In a press conference, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has justified Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar's swearing-in ceremony. 

Maharashtra BJP will address a press conference at 2:30 pm. Earlier today, Shiv Sena-NCP addressed a joint press conference at 12:30 pm, followed by presser by Congress which was attended by Ahmad Patel and Mallikarjun Kharge.

All the three(Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena) parties are together in this and I am confident we will defeat BJP in the trust vote. All Congress MLAs are present here except two who are right now in their village, but they too are with us: Ahmed Patel

Without 'band-baja' Devendra Fadnavis was sworn as Maharashtra CM, says, Ahmed Patel.

" Today was a black spot in the history of Maharashtra. Everything was done in a hushed manner and early morning. Something is wrong somewhere. Nothing can be more shameful than this," he added.

Of the 8 MLAs who had gone with Ajit Pawar, 5 of them have come back. They were lied to, put in a car, and sort of kidnapped. Agar himmat hai to vidhaan sabha mein majority saabit kar ke dikhaye, says Sanjay Raut

Congress has called an urgent press conference at B4 bungalow of the party at 1.40 pm.

'Ajit Pawar Murdabad' slogans raised outside YB Chavan Centre, Mumbai where Sharad Pawar-Uddhav Thackeray addressed media

Earlier EVM khel (game) was going on and now this is new khel (game). From here onwards I don't think elections are even needed. Everyone knows what Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj did when betrayed and attacked from the back, said Uddhav Thackeray.

I don't know if he(Ajit Pawar) has done this fearing investigating agencies or not. As per my source, 10-11 MLAs were there in Raj Bhavan and out of those, 3 are already here sitting with me, Sharad Pawar said 

BJP lacks numbers to form govt; we want govt under Shiv Sena's leadership, we are together: Pawar 

Clear disrespect towards Constitution and Maharashtra people's mandate, says Uddhav Thackeray in joint NCP-Sena presser. Let them try and break Shiv Sena MLAs, Maharashtra will not stay asleep, he added

Can't rule out cheating of governor; Ajit Pawar may have submitted 'ready-made' list of NCP MLAs: Pawar

This is surgical strike on Maharashtra and people will avenge it, says Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Fadnavis as CM.

Decision on (replacement of Ajit Pawar as) NCPlegislature party leader to be taken at party meet: Pawar. (PTI)

NCP MLAs at Pawar PC say they were taken to Raj Bhavan but didn't know it was for the swearing-in ceremony.

Ajit Pawar's decision act of indiscipline; no NCP worker in favour of NCP-BJP govt, says Sharad Pawar

Action against Ajit Pawar will be taken as per the procedure, he added

Ajit Pawar may have submitted ready-made list of NCP MLAs, can't rule out 'cheating' of governor: Sharad Pawar (PTI)

NCP MLAs who support BJP should know this move attracts provisions of anti-defection law, says Sharad Pawar in joint NCP-Sena presser

• All the MLAs who are going must know that there is an anti defection law and the possibility of them losing their assembly membership is high.
• Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP leaders came together to form Government. We had the numbers. We had our official numbers- 44, 56 and 54 MLAs with us who had supported the govt. Several independent were also with us and we had numbers around 170.
• I got a call from a colleague at 6:45 am: Pawar
• I was surprised at the efficiency of Raj Bhawan, says Pawar

Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Aditya Thackeray and other leaders to address press conference shortly. 

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to address the media at party's state office in Mumbai at 2.30 pm today

Nationalist Congress Party's Supriya Sule receives Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray and Aditya Thackeray outside YB Chavan Centre, where Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena will address the media shortly

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) removes Ajit Pawar from Legislative Party Leader post

"Sharad Pawar hum tumhare sath hai," slogans raised in support of Sharad Pawar and against Ajit Pawar by a group of NCP workers outside YB Chavan Centre where Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena will address the media shortly

This is making a mockery of the constitution, BJP did the same in Goa, Meghalaya and other states. No MLA of the NCP will support this, Ajit Pawar has gone with them alone: Digvijaya Singh

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge & Ahmed Patel arrive for the Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena joint Press Conference at the YB Chavan Centre.

People would be thinking I will be happy by today's developments, but I am actually very sad. Congress has been unnecessarily defamed in this and thinking of alliance with Shiv Sena was a mistake. I appeal to Sonia ji to at first dissolve Congress Working Committee: Sanjay Nirupam

Sharad Pawar's daughter and senior NCP leader Supriya Sule in her Whatsapp status wrote, "Party and family split". Sule's WhatsApp status confirms the split in Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

We had taken signatures from MLAs for attendance, it was misused as a basis for the oath, says NCP's Nawab Malik

Sharad Pawar has called a meeting of all NCP MLAs at 4.30 pm today

Union minister Nitin Gadkari congratulated Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar for taking oath as the chief minister and the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra respectively on Saturday.

In a tweet, Gadkari said under the leadership of Fadnavis and Pawar, the "chariot of Maharashtra's development" will move ahead rapidly. 

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday questioned the morality of revoking the President's rule and swearing-in of the chief minister and deputy chief minister in Maharashtra. He said both the chief minister and deputy chief minister were "guilt conscious" and raised doubt whether they would be able to deliver good governance. Referring to the political development in Maharashtra, Gehlot asked what morality was there in the sudden revocation of President's rule and such swearing-in.

"Which direction are they taking democracy to?" Gehlot asked on Twitter, adding that people would teach a lesson to the BJP on an appropriate time.
Gehlot said he was doubtful whether Devendra Fadnavis would be successful as a chief minister and deliver good governance, adding that the people of Maharashtra would suffer.

Congratulating the people of Maharashtra, BJP Working President, JP Nadda said a stable government under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis ji has been formed. "It is a sign of a mature democracy."

"Verbal diarrhoea will be the right phrase to use for him. Even many Shiv Sena MLAs are frustrated with him and they may also think of going with us," BJP leader Girish Mahajan on Sanjay Raut. 

An urgent meeting has been called by Congress at party office in Mumbai. Senior party leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal to be present. 

NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray will address a joint press conference at 12.30 pm today. 

BJP leader Girish Mahajan said, "We will prove our majority with support of over 170 MLAs. Ajit Pawar has given a letter to Governor about support of his MLAs and as he is legislative party leader of NCP, which means all NCP MLAs have supported us."

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday congratulated Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar for taking oath as the chief minister and deputy chief minister of Maharashtra respectively.

In a tweet, Adityanath congratulated them and expressed confidence that "under the leadership of Sri Devendra Fadnavis ji and Sri Ajit Pawar ji, Maharashtra will be on the path of development."

Betrayal of people's mandate: Cong spokesperson on Devendra Fadnavis being sworn in as Maharashtra CM

Sanjay Raut should now at least keep silent. He has ruined Shiv Sena, says Chandrakant Patil, Maharashtra BJP President

"Voters had voted for BJP-Shiv Sena alliance and we got 161 MLAs, but Shiv Sena betrayed the mandate. Since the first press conference they had started talking about alternatives," he said

Uddhav Thackeray ji and Sharad Pawar ji are in touch and will meet also today, they might also address the media together. But fact is that Ajit Pawar and the MLAs supporting him have insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Maharashtra, says Sanjay Raut

"Sharad Pawar saheb has nothing to do with this, Ajit Pawar has backstabbed the people of Maharashtra," says Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut addresses media in Mumbai

This is not NCP's decision and does not have Sharad Pawar saheb's support, says senior NCP leader Praful Patel on Ajit Pawar

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers celebrate after Devendra Fadnavis takes oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister, again.

"Ajit Pawar's decision to support the BJP to form the Maharashtra Government is his personal decision and not that of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). We place on record that we do not support or endorse this decision of his," Tweets Sharad Pawar on BJP-NCP alliance govt

"Surreal what I read about Maharashtra. Thought it was fake news. Candidly  and personally speaking, our tripartite negotiations should not have gone on for more than 3 days...took too long. Window given was grabbed by fast movers. Pawarji tussi grt ho! Amazing if true, still not sure", Singhvi tweeted.

Uttar Pradesh deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya congratulated PM Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and CM Devendra Fadnavis over the government formation in Maharashtra.

"Under your leadership and good governance, the state will achieve new heights of development and provide a better future for the people of Maharashtra", tweeted Goyal soon after the two took oath.

President rule revoked in Maharashtra as the BJP back in power after Devendra Fadnavis takes oath as Maharashtra new Chief Minister while NCP's Ajit Pawar was sworn in as deputy CM.

BJP-NCP govt in Maharashtra takes charge after President's Rule revoked at 5.47 am on Saturday

"I Congratulate @Dev_Fadnavis Ji and @AjitPawarSpeaks Ji on taking oath as the CM and Deputy CM of Maharashtra respectively. I am sure that under the guidance of Hon PM @narendramodi Ji, BJP-NCP Gov will take Maharashtra to newer heights." 

Ajit Pawar is the leader of Parliamentary board of NCP and no decision of NCP is taken without Sharad Pawar’s assent

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar was part of discussions for Devendra Fadnavis led Maharashtra Govt formation, he had given his assent to Ajit Pawar, say sources

BJP President & Union Home Minister, Amit Shah congratulates Devendra Fadnavis & Ajit Pawar on taking oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, respectively.

"Congratulations to Devendra Fadnavis ji and Ajit Pawar ji on taking oath as the CM and Deputy CM of Maharashtra respectively. I am confident they will work diligently for the bright future of Maharashtra," PM Modi tweeted.

"People had given us a clear mandate, but Shiv Sena tried to ally with other parties after results, as a result, President's rule was imposed. Maharashtra needed a stable govt not a 'khichdi' govt.," Devendra Fadnavis after taking oath as Maharashtra CM again

"From result day to this day no party was able to form Govt, Maharashtra was facing many problems including farmer issues, so we decided to form a stable Govt," says Ajit Pawar after taking oath as Deputy CM

Devendra Fadnavis took oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister again,NCP's Ajit Pawar took oath as Deputy CM,oath was administered by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhawan

BJP's Devendra Fadnavis takes oath as Maharashtra CM. NCP's Ajit Pawar takes oath as Deputy CM, oath was administered by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhawan.

As the controversy over five lakh people applying for 166 Group-D posts in the state gets bigger, Bihar Minister Shrawan Kumar on Friday rebuffed it saying "What can government do if people apply for jobs?"

11 people died after the two mini buses they were travelling in lost balance and met with an accident in Kuchaman City of Nagaur, at around 3 am, today. Injured have been admitted to hospital.

A level-2 fire breaks out in a cloth godown in Kalbadevi Area of South Mumbai. Fire tenders rushed to the spot.

 Three people, including a police officer, were targeted by chain snatchers in Yamuna Nagar and Jyoti Nagar areas in three separate incidents,