The Supreme Court on Sunday issued notices to the Centre and Maharashtra government on a petition filed by the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance against Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari’s decision to swear in Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister.

In a major masterstroke, the BJP left one and all stunned when Devendra Fadnavis sworn in as the Maharashtra CM for the second time. It came as a major jolt as Shiv Sena’sUddhav Thackeray had full plans to form the government in the state, when NCP changed the game overnight by backing BJP.

A bench comprising Justices N V Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna also issued notices to Fadnavis and AjitPawar. The bench also directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to produce letters of the governor tomorrow at 10.30 am for passing orders.

The three parties also sought a direction to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to invite them to form government under the leadership of Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, saying they have the support of more than 144 MLAs.

Senior Congress leader and lawyer for Shiv Sena Kapil Sibal said he had not seen such things happen in Indian democracy. “Governor advises and President’s Rule is revoked, no cabinet meeting was held. At 8am, the swearing-in happened. What are the facts and on what basis did the Governor decide is shrouded in mystery,” Sibalsaid.

“It’s in the interest of the government to hold the floor test and prove majority,” Sibal said.

Another Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said in a situation like this, the Governor must satisfy himself with a written document which bears signatures. “The Governor should also seek a physical meeting. However, he did not do anything like that,” he said.

Fadnavis and AjitPawar were sworn in by Koshyari at 8 am at a hush-hush ceremony on November 23 in the Maharashtra capital after dramatic midnight developments, leading to the lifting of President’s Rule in the state.