State Assembly Elections 2019 News

The inducted council of ministers were six-time Ambala (Cantonment) legislator Anil Vij, who was Health Minister in the previous government; former Speaker and three-time Legislator Kanwar Pal, and BJP`s Banwari Lal, who was previously a minister of state.

The MLAs--Nayanpal Rawat, MLA from Prithla, Randhir Singh Gollen, MLA from Pundri, Balraj Kundu, Meham MLA, Dharampal Gonder and Sombir Sangwan from Nilokheri and Dadri, respectively met at the Haryana Bhawan in Delhi on Tuesday.

Despite a pre-poll alliance and a clear public mandate, the BJP lost an opportunity to form its third government in Maharashtra with its old ally, the Shiv Sena.

As per reports, NCP's Sharad Pawar had put forward the condition that his party would support Shiv Sena in government formation only if it severe all ties with the BJP.

"The Sena will have to inform the governor about its stand by Monday (November 11) evening 7.30 pm," a statement from the Raj Bhavan said after the BJP refused to stake a claim as the majority mark of 145 in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly was too far for it.

NCP president Nawab Malik said the NCP, which has 54 MLAs, has called a meeting of its legislators on November 12 to discuss the political situation. However, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has ruled out the possibility of going with the Shiv Sena.

The saffron alliance in Maharashtra appears to be falling apart as Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray on Friday hit back at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), virtually calling it a party of "liars". Responding to outgoing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis` statement that there was "no discussion between the BJP and Shiv Sena on sharing the post of Chief Minister", Thackeray said: "(BJP President) Amit Shah himself gave me this assurance. Now they`re going back on their word. That`s why I have stopped talking to liars."

Addressing a press briefing in Mumbai, Thackeray said that his party will not settle for the post of the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. "I have told BJP that Sena won't settle for Deputy CM post. Had promised Bal Thackeray that Maharashtra will have Shiv Sena CM one day," said Thackeray.

Addressing media persons, Fadnavis said, "My resignation has been accepted by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. We ran a clean govt in Maharashtra and tackled several problems together. The state govt stood by farmers during drought. I thank PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah for letting me govern Maharashtra." He also thanked the people of Maharashtra for standing by him for the last five years.

Maharastra BJP chief in a statement said that BJP is open and available for 24 hours. He assured that BJP will form the government as an alliance under the leadership of Devendra Fadanvis. 

The Shiv Sena's plan B includes getting outside support from NCP and Congress to form the government in Maharashtra, informed sources. One of the top leaders from Shiv Sena hinted that his party's Plan B has now become their Plan A.  

Shiv Sena is adamant about the implementation of the 50:50 formula proposed by BJP during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The formula is a rotational arrangement in which a Chief Minister from each party will split the five-year term equally.

Kishor Jorgewar on Wednesday met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and extended his support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Fadnavis had earlier claimed that BJP has the support of 10 independent MLAs and stated that BJP expects support from five more independent MLAs.

Reacting to Raut's remark, Dushyant told him that these comments will not upraise his position. He also took a dig saying that the Shiv Sena has been with the BJP for a very long time. He added that the JJP was formed only 11 months ago and during that period there was no intention to move forward by fighting, threatening, intimidating someone or by cheating them.

It is to be noted that the term "remote control of power" was used by Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray when he used this term to explain the chain of command during BJP-Shiv Sena's rule in Maharashtra from 1995 to 1999.

PJP chief Bacchu Kadu and his party MLA Rajkumar Patel met Shiv Sena chief Thackeray on Saturday night and extended their support to him.

The oath-taking ceremony will be held around 2.15 pm at the Raj Bhavan.

JJP president Dushyant Chautala had met his father Ajay at the Tihar prison complex on Friday.

The clarification from Khattar came amid intense speculations that Dushyant’s mother Naina Chautala may be given the deputy CM's post.

"In our meeting, it was decided that like Amit Shah had promised 50:50 formula before Lok Sabha polls, similarly both allies should get chance to run the government for 2.5-2.5 years. So Shiv Sena should also have CM. Uddhav Thackeray should get this assurance in writing from BJP," Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik said.