Maharashtra CM Fadnavis resigns, says Shiv Sena surrendered Hindutva ideology to Sonia

Addressing a press conference, Fadnavis said, "The three parties, mostly Shiv Sena and Congress, have divergent ideologies. We have seen yesterday how the Shiv Sena has surrendered its Hindutva ideology to Sonia Gandhi."

In a show of strength, the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress paraded all its 162 MLAs at a hotel on Monday evening and asked them to take a pledge that they will not crossover and be with the alliance. 

Fadnavis resigned after NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who had earlier extended his support to the BJP, stepped down as the Deputy Chief Minister on Tuesday.

Ajit on Saturday took oath as Fadnavis' deputy claiming he along with 35 of his party MLAs had extended support to the BJP though most of them later returned to NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

"Today Ajit Pawar said he will resign so we don't have the majority. So the BJP decided not to continue. We always said we won't horse trade," Fadnavis said.

It was Sena which was in the target of Fadnavis on Tuesday as the BJP leader accused his former ally of "lying' over 50:50 power share deal which was the root cause of the breakup between the BJP and Sena.

The former Maharashtra Chief Minister said, "Shiv Sena claimed to have the Chief Minister's post right from day one. Despite winning in an alliance with the BJP, the Sena wanted to ally with any party which would offer them the Chief Minister's post.

The Sena's claim of 50:50 power share was completely false. There was no such deal signed. The Sena didn't bother to talk to us but went to talk to NCP. This shows the Sena wanted to ally with the NCP right from the beginning."

Immediately after the assembly poll results were declared on Oct 24, the Sena came up with the demands of 50:50 power share in the government and rotational Chief Ministership which were turned down by the BJP.

Making a political prophesy, Fadnavis, who was the poster-boy of BJP in the Maharashtra elections, said the Sena-NCP-Congress alliance- termed as Maha Vikas Aghadi- will break because of its "divergent ideologies".

"The alliance will break because of its divergent ideologies. It is a car of three wheels going to three different directions," he said.

Meanwhile, the Aghadi has called a meeting at 5 pm on Tuesday to elect its leader. Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is likely to become the Chief Minister.

"Uddhav ji will become the Chief Minister," said Sena MP and spokesperson Sanjay Raut.

The Sena (56), NCP (54) and Congress (44) together have 154 MLAs if Ajit Pawar is included.

On the other hand, the BJP, the single largest party, has 105 seats.

Fadnavis takes oath and alliance moves Supreme Court

The Sena-NCP-Congress alliance moved the Supreme Court on Saturday evening against the government formation by the BJP under Chief Minister Fadnavis.

Giving its judgement on the plea filed by the Aghadi, the top court on Tuesday ordered a floor test by 5 pm on Wednesday.

Fadnavis' resignation has, however, paved the way for Aghadi's assumption of power straightaway.

(Image Credit: Devendra Fadnavis Twitter)