Maharashtra hasbeen placed under President’s Rule after a report from Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to the centre that none of the three parties, the BJP, Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), could produce enough numbers to stake claim to power even 20 days after the October 24 state election results.

Maharashtra governor made recommendation in report dated November 12, 2019 for imposition of President rule saying he was satisfied that it is not possible to form a stable government in the state.

The Shiv Sena went to the Supreme Court complaining that the Governor had refused to grant it even an extra day even though the BJP was given two days to prove its numbers.

The purported assessment, based on report of Maharashtra governor, was that no party or formation of parties is currently in position to form government. Since assembly will be under suspended animation, it can be revived as and when any party or alliance has the numbers to form the government

As per sources, Union Cabinet had recommended President’s rule in Maharashtra. However, President Kovind is currently not in Delhi and is likely to return from Punjab soon.

Sources said the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met in Delhi this afternoon to discuss the political impasse in Maharashtra and decided to recommend to the President to impose Central rule in the state.

Sonia Gandhi sent her top party leaders to Mumbai for discussions on government formation after speaking to Sharad Pawar on the phone this morning.

The Shiv Sena yesterday pulled out its only minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government at the centre to signal its exit from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).