Maharashtra twist: Congress, Sena, NCP move MLAs to Mumbai hotels
Mumbai/IBNS: With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stunning all by forming government in Maharashtra on Saturday morning, the Shiv Sena, Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) wing and the Congress have been forced to move their MLAs to different hotels, media reports said on Sunday.
The MLAs have been cautioned against being approached by the BJP to support the latter during their floor test to prove majority.
The three parties have kept their MLAs in luxury hotels in Mumbai only, anticipating that they might have to be rushed to the state assembly anytime for a floor test in which the BJP has to prove its majority.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Sunday will hear the petitions filed by the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress against the Centre's move to revoke Presidential rule in Maharashtra on Saturday early morning and Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's step to invite BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis to become the Chief Minister.
In the petition- which will be heard by the top court at 11:30 pm- the three parties have demanded for an immediate floor test.
The people of Maharashtra woke up to a new twist in the state's political drama, which started immediately after the poll results were declared on Oct 24, as NCP chief Sharad Pawar's nephew and party leader Ajit took some MLAs and supported the BJP to form the government.
Ajit took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister leading to the congratulatory messages from the BJP camp including party chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Though initially Ajit claimed he had the support of 35 MLAs, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday evening held a meeting at his place where several of the rebel lawmakers were present.
The NCP on Saturday night said the party has the support of 50 of 54 MLAs who were elected exactly a month ago.
Immediately after Ajit stunned his uncle and party chief, Sharad Pawar tweeted to say, "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."
Later at a joint press conference with Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar said Ajit has acted against the party but the call on his nephew's expulsion from the outfit will be taken after meeting all party leaders.
Though no action has been taken yet, Ajit was removed as the NCP's legislative party leader in the evening. Ajit has been replaced by NCP leader Jayant Patil.
Congress leader Ahmed Patel at a separate press conference slammed the BJP saying, "Democracy has been ridiculed."
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