SCOOP: Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray meets Ahmed Patel and Kharge

Even as the political crisis in Maharashtra continues, sources informed Republic TV that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday night has met Congress' interim president's aides - Ahmed Patel and Malikarjun Kharge, who are present in Mumbai. As Sena defended its alliance with ideologically opposite, its chief held a meeting with top Congress leaders on government formation. On the other side, NCP and Congress is holding yet another core committee meeting on Wednesday morning. However, NCP chief Sharad Pawar did not speak to media as he reached YB Chavan Centre in Mumbai for the meeting. NCP leader Ajit Pawar, informing about the meeting said that decision will be taken soon and there are a lot of things to discuss.

President Rule in Maharashtra

President Ram Nath Kovind, on Tuesday, has accepted the Maharashtra Governor's recommendation and implemented President's rule in the state. Ministry of Home Affairs has confirmed that now Maharashtra assembly is under suspended animation after the President officially signed the order. If no party stakes claim within six months, fresh elections will be held in the state. Earlier, the Governor had confirmed that he had recommended the same and submitted a report to the President, via MHA, according to the provisions of Art. 356 of the Constitution. The governor is of opinion that no party - be it BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress or NCP can give a stable government in the state. Meanwhile,  Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led cabinet meeting has approved a president's rule in the state.

READ: Maharashtra Govt-formation LIVE Updates: Sena moves Supreme Court

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 Shiv Sena failed to provide the majority number. The governor also rejected Sena's request for an extension of the deadline. 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. 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: BIG: Maharashtra Guv sends report to MHA, recommends President's rule

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. 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.)

READ: ACCESSED: Sena's SC plea against Prez rule; confirms Sibal as lawyer