Sena, NCP, Congress demand floor test for BJP in SC

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who is representing the Sena, argued in court that, "They say have support they say, they must be directed to take floor test."

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who is presenting the case of BJP, claimed that the Governor's decision cannot be subjected to a judicial review.

The Supreme Court is hearing 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.

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.

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 Ajit has been replaced by NCP leader Jayant Patil.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."

How the political crisis started?

After the election results were declared on Oct 24, the Sena demanded 50:50 power share in the government and rotational Chief Ministership from the BJP which didn't entertain right from the first day.

Eventually, the Sena fell out with its oldest ally slowly moving towards the NCP and Congress.

After the BJP, which has won 105 seats, refused to stake claim to form the government, Governor Koshyari had asked the Sena to do so. However, the Sena, which has just 56 seats, failed to cobble up the number following which NCP, the third largest party, was asked to stake claim.

However even before the allotted time expired, the Governor on Nov 12 asked the Centre to impose the Presidential rule drawing much criticism from the Opposition.