Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print

NCP wants rotational CM, Congress demands Deputy CM post to form govt with Shiv Sena

Congress and NCP leaders met in Mumbai on Tuesday evening even as President’s rule was imposed in the state after no party was able to stake claim to form the government. NCP and Congress are considering the prospects of supporting Shiv Sena to form the government.

Even as Maharashtra was placed under the President’s rule on Tuesday, senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Ahmed Patel, Praful Patel and KC Venugopal reached Mumbai to hold discussions with NCP chief Sharad Pawar and others over extending support to Shiv Sena.

According to sources, in the meeting, NCP has insisted that Congress with its 44 MLAs will have to be part of the coalition government with Shiv Sena. Congress, on the other hand, has demanded the Deputy Chief Minister’s post for five years.

NCP has also insisted on a rotational chiefministership between Shiv Sena and NCP while Congress has demanded the Deputy CM post for five years with the rotational arrangement between Sena and NCP.

Sharad Pawar’s NCP has said that it is crucial that Congress is part of the Maharashtra government so that there is a stable government in the state.

With 54 MLAs, NCP is the third largest party after the BJP, which has 105 MLAs and Shiv Sena that has 56 MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra assembly, where the halfway mark is 145. Congress has 44 MLAs.

In its talks with the NCP, Congress has insisted that if a coalition government is formed with the Shiv Sena and NCP, the Common Minimum Programme will have to be implemented in the state.

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Monday invited NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who is NCP legislature party leader, to express willingness to form the government in Maharashtra.

NCP had earlier said they are happy to sit in the Opposition as they do not have the required numbers. However, following a meeting with the Governor on Monday night after Shiv Sena failed to say they have the required support, NCP has engaged in hectic discussions with Congress to make efforts to form the government.

Before Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray met the Governor to express willingness to form the government on Monday evening, party chief Uddhav Thackeray dialled up Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to seek support. However, the Congress did not immediately extend support and also refrained from signing a letter of support.

An MHA official said on Tuesday that NCP has sought 3 days’ time to cobble up enough support to stake claim.

The Governor however recommended President’s rule in Maharashtra on Tuesday saying despite all efforts to form government, no party or formation of parties were in a position to form the government.

The official further said, "Governor in his report said it has been 15 days since completion of election but no party or formation of parties is in a position to form government. Accordingly, he submitted report recommending President’s rule in Maharashtra."

President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday evening approved the imposition of President’s rule in Maharashtra.