Governor's Decision Denying Time Extension ‘Unconstitutional, Mala Fide': Shiv Sena

The Shiv Sena on Tuesday alleged that Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari’s decision of denying time extension to present letters of support from NCP and Congress in order to prove that they have enough numbers to form the government in the state was "unconstitutional, unreasonable and mala fide". The Sena was given deadline till Monday 7:30 pm to convince the Governor that they have enough numbers to form the government in Maharashtra, which has been gripped in a massive political uncertainty ever since the results were declared on October 24.

While the NCP was ready with its letter of support, it was Congress that took time to decide on whether they should ally with Sena, a party with the Grand Old Party has massive ideological differences. However, Uddhav Thackeray was in the direct touch with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and asked Governor to give the Shiv Sena 48 hours time extension to prove majority.

Governor Koshyari, however, rejected Shiv Sena's request and recommended the President's rule in the state. BJP-led Narendra Modi government in the Centre also made the same recommendation even as the Shiv Sena continues to seek time to prove numbers.

Also Read | Shiv Sena Moves Supreme Court Over Maharashtra Governor's Refusal To Extend Deadline

The Sena has now also moved to the Supreme Court, seeking to urgent hearing against Governor BS Koshyari’s "mala fide" decision. Uddhav Thackeray's party has also made Centre, Congress and NCP as well as Maharashtra government respondent in its petition beofre the Supreme Court.

The Sena, which is trying to form a possible coalition government with the support of the NCP and the Congress, had failed to secure the requisite letters from both the parties. Sena leaders had met Koshyari ahead of the 7:30 PM deadline on Monday to stake the claim to form government.

"The Sena has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against Maharashtra governor’s refusal to extend time. We had asked the governor to give us three days to submit the requisite letters of support. We could have proved our numbers in a floor test later," Sena leader Anil Parab told a news channel.

Governor Koshiyari's Decision Unashamedly Dishonest And Politically Motivated: Congress

Governor Koshiyari has committed a grave travesty of the democracy and made a mockery of the Constitutional process in reccomending President’s Rule in Maharashtra, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said. Surjewala pointed out that four "grave violations" of the Constitutional Scheme, as expressed in SR Bommai judgment, stand out.

"In absence of any single party having majority In Maharashtra, Gov should have called; 1. Single largest pre poll alliance i.e BJP-Shiv Sena together; 2. Second largest post poll alliance i.e Congress-NCP; 3. In case Gov called individual parties, why did he not call INC? And above all; 4. Why the completely arbitrary allotment of time? 48 hours to BJP, 24 hrs to Sena & not even 24 hours to NCP, before the Presidents Rule. This is unashamedly dishonest & politically motivated," he added.