Congress doing naatak, they've already agreed to Sena CM: Dr Swamy

Soon after sources said that Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari has sent a report to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recommending President Rule in the state and cabinet approved the recommendation, Dr Subramanian Swamy spoke to Republic TV. He said that he is of the opinion that Congress will form the government with Shiv Sena, giving them the Chief Minister's post. He said that he cannot fathom why is Congress delaying the process. 

Swamy said: "Governor could have waited till 8:30. According to me, Congress is just doing Natak, they have internally decided to form a govt with Sena's chief minister. I don't why is Congress doing this natak."

Swamy also said, "Shiv Sena is dissolving that's all I can say. They had to choose Sibal, the old horse of the Congress party to defend their position. But it's like once you're married you're a part of the husband's family. There should be no shock in that. But the Governor should not have invited the NCP because a much smaller party is being called, then tomorrow why did he deny the Congress an opportunity? This could be called into question in the Court."

As per sources, the governor is of opinion that no party - be it BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress or NCP can give a stable government in the state. Using his prerogative, the governor has sent the report to the President, via MHA. This comes after the governor invited the third-largest party - NCP to form the government and set deadline as 08:30 PM on Tuesday. 

READ: NCP blames Congress for delay; says no NCP-Sena govt sans Cong support

Earlier in the day, NCP has agreed to give the Chief Minister's post to Shiv Sena, but is waiting for Congress's decision on the same, sources said. Minutes after NCP put the onus on Congress to discuss the future course of government formation in Maharashtra, Congress has now said that the delay is from NCP's chief Sharad Pawar, as per sources. Meanwhile, Congres leaders Malikarjun Kharge, Ahmed Patel and KC Venugopal will meet NCP chief Pawar on Tuesday, to take the final call. 

Maharashtra's political crisis

In a minute-by-minute changing dynamics of Maharashtra politics, Governor of Maharashtra on Monday night invited the third-largest party - NCP to form the government after BJP and Shiv Sena failed to provide the majority number. Congress leader KC Venugopal on Monday evening said that Congress is still discussing the formation of a government with the NCP and has to extended Outer support to the Shiv Sena. This official declaration came even as Shiv Sena reached its deadline of 7.30 PM to form the government in Maharashtra. The NCP, on the other hand, placed the onus of decision-making on Congress, saying they will take the decision only after Congress decides. After BJP on Sunday announced that it wouldn't form government, Governor had invited the second largest party - Shiv Sena to form the government. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant also resigned from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet. 

READ: HD Deve Gowda asks Congress to 'not disturb' govt if allied with Sena

Maharashtra assembly elections 

The stalemate in the state is a result of the fallout of the Mahayuti alliance partners- BJP and Shiv Sena over the post of Chief Minister in the state. While both blamed each other of betraying people's mandate, BJP made it clear to the governor that it would not form government as Sena does not wish to negotiate. In the assembly polls, the Mahayuti alliance partners won a total of 161 seats - BJP won 105 seats and Shiv Sena won 56 seats. The Mahagadhi made a comeback bagging 98 seats - (NCP 54 seats and Congress 44 seats.)

BIG: Maharashtra Guv sends report to MHA, recommends President's rule