Prez Rule in Maha, Assembly in suspended animation

Curtains fell on the protracted political drama over government formation in Maharashtra on Tuesday evening, as the state was put under President’s rule after Governor B S Koshyari sent in a report to the Centre saying it is “impossible” to form a stable government in the state.

The move was immediately slammed by the Opposition, which questioned the undue haste of the Governor in recommending central rule which has, at least for the time being, dashed Sena’s hopes of having its own chief minister.

President Ram Nath Kovind issued the proclamation under Article 356 after the Union Cabinet recommended central rule based on the Governor’s report, which said that Koshyari “made attempts to explore the possibility” of government formation by parties, who “could have formed the government in alliance with other political parties” but “unfortunately” he failed.

Interestingly, the Governor’s report, Centre’s recommendation and President’s proclamation came even as Koshyari had given the NCP time till Tuesday at 8.30 pm to inform him whether it was willing to form the government.

A senior official said the NCP on Tuesday morning approached the Governor seeking “three more days” to speak to its allies but the Governor felt that time had run out.

Soon after the Governor sent the report in the afternoon recommending President’s rule, a decision to approach the President was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, just before he left for Brazil to attend the 11th BRICS Summit. Following this, an MHA spokesperson said, the President signed the proclamation.

On the report, the spokesperson said the Governor had come to the conclusion that a situation has arisen in Maharashtra in which it was “impossible to constitute and/or form a stable government” and that he was “satisfied that the government of the state of Maharashtra cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution”.

“Left with no other alternatives, he is constrained to send his report under the provisions of Article 356 of the Constitution,” the spokesperson said.

With Assembly in suspended animation, parties can still attempt government formation. Once the Governor is satisfied that there is a legitimate chance of forming the government, he can recommend revocation of President’s rule, which is otherwise valid for six months and could be extended, if needed.

Every proclamation under Article 356 has to get Parliament approval and a resolution on the present one will have to be placed before the Houses in the coming Winter Session.

BJP, the single-largest party in the Assembly, had earlier informed the Governor that it was not in a position to form the government. Its erstwhile ally Shiv Sena on Monday sought more time for forming the government but Koshyari did not heed to the request and invited the NCP.

The BJP and the Shiv Sena fought the Assembly elections together and had won 105 and 56 seats respectively. This was followed by days of deadlock and, eventually, the alliance fell apart after the Shiv Sena insisted on a 50:50 power-sharing ratio and sharing the post of CM. Following this, the Sena opened talks with the NCP and the Congress to attempt government formation but the two parties did not provide the required letters of support when Sena leaders went to the Governor on Monday evening.

There were strong reservations within the Congress on supporting a Sena-led government, with a section strongly opposing the move.