Uddhav requests Pawar to Extend Support: Top 10 Maha Developments

In a latest development, Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray requested Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar to extend support to his party for the formation of government in Maharashtra, as per the sources. This comes ahead of the Maharashtra Governor’s 7.30 pm deadline to the Sena for indicating their willingness to form the government in the state. Since Monday morning, there have been hectic developments in the Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress camps to form a post-poll alliance. 

Read: Arvind Sawant Resigns From Modi Cabinet: 'Immoral For Me To Continue'

Here are the top 10 developments on Nov 11 so far: 

1. Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut addressed the media and blamed the BJP for not fulfilling its promise of sticking to the rotational Chief Minister formula. He also expressed his lament on his party getting only 24 hours to respond to the Governor’s invite. Moreover, Raut defended his party’s decision to potentially ally with the NCP and Congress. 

2. A meeting of the Congress Working Committee was held at the party headquarters in the national capital. Prominent leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Ahmed Patel, KC Venugopal were part of the discussions that took place. After the meeting, Kharge announced that there would be another meeting at 4 pm, which would include the participation of Maharashtra Congress leaders.  

Read: Maharashtra Governor Invites Shiv Sena To Form Govt After BJP Declines

3. At the same time, Sharad Pawar held the NCP core group meeting to discuss the political situation in the state. However, Nawab Malik, the party spokesperson announced that NCP had fought the elections with Congress and therefore, would disclose its decision only after Congress took a final call on supporting the Sena. He also stated that it was their responsibility to provide an alternative government. 

4. In the meanwhile, Union Minister Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena announced on Twitter that he was resigning from the Union Cabinet. He cited the BJP’s inability to adhere to the previously decided formula as a reason for his decision. Sawant stated that he would hold a press conference at 11 am. 

5. Top leaders of the Shiv Sena went into a huddle at Uddhav Thackeray’s Matoshree residence. Subsequently, leaders such as Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aaditya and Raut departed to meet Sharad Pawar. But there was no official comment from the Sena regarding the future plan of action.  

6. Sawant finally held his much-delayed press conference at the Maharashtra Sadan at around 1.30 pm. He observed that the alliance in the state was finished and a new government was about to be formed. Maintaining it was “not appropriate” to continue in his position, Sawant revealed that he had tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  

7. Originally scheduled for 2.30 pm, the Shiv Sena leaders delayed their meeting with Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to 5 pm according to the sources.  

Read: Maharashtra: Here Are Shiv Sena's Options As BJP Dares It To Form Govt

8. Congress MLAs who have been camping in Jaipur to allegedly prevent poaching attempts by the BJP departed for Mumbai.  

9. At around 3 pm, the second core group meeting of the NCP commenced in Mumbai. Pawar is expected to share the details of his meeting with Uddhav Thackeray with his party members.  

10. Important leaders of the BJP are scheduled to meet at Caretaker Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s Varsha bungalow at 5 pm. They also had a meeting earlier in the day. However, on Monday, there was been no statement from anyone in the BJP.  

Read: Nitish Kumar Breaks Silence On BJP-Shiv Sena Fallout's Impact On JD(U)