In a massive shocker, in an overnight coup, BJP and NCP leader, Ajit Pawar’ faction formed an alliance in the state of Maharashtra. While people slept, Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the Chief Minister and Ajit Pawar was sworn in as the Deputy CM.
Until this morning, Congress, Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders probably felt they had it in the bag. In fact, last night it was declared that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will be the next Maharashtra Chief Minister after a month-long political upheaval in the state. But the tables turned in the wee hours of the morning and Maharashtra got its CM and Deputy CM.
Here is the timeline of how things proceeded that led BJP and Ajit Pawar to form the Maharashtra government.
Friday, 8 PM
Ajit Pawar submitted letter’ of support signed by NCP MLAs to the Governor of Maharashtra.
Friday, 10 PM
The Governor apprised the President of the development.
Saturday, 12 AM
Ajit Pawar along with a few MLAs met the governor and extended their support to BJP’ Devendra Fadnavis.
Saturday, 2 AM
Late night at 2 AM, Devendra Fadnavis met the Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to stake a claim.
Saturday, 5.47 AM
President’s Rule, which was imposed in Maharashtra on November 12, was revoked.
Saturday 7:30 AM
Devendra Fadnavis left the official home of the Maharashtra chief minister, Varsha. His family was with him, but not Ajit Pawar. The NCP leader reached Raj Bhavan separately, also accompanied by family. The duo met the governor and claimed the right to form a government.
Saturday 8 AM
When barely a few people had been awake long enough to worry about breakfast, a swearing-in ceremony was taking place in Raj Bhavan. BJP’ Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the Cheif Minister whereas NCP’ Ajit Pawar was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister.
Minutes after Fadnavis and Pawar were sworn in, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated them and said he was “confident they will work diligently for the bright future of Maharashtra”.
President’s Rule, which was imposed in Maharashtra on November 12, was revoked at 5.47 am after a signoff by President Ram Nath Kovind and a month-long logjam finally reached its conclusion.
The BJP made a stunning comeback in Maharashtra even though just hours before NCP had pledged support to a Shiv Sena-led alliance along with the Congress. Ajit Pawar’s uncle Sharad Pawar, the chief of the NCP, distanced himself from his nephew’s decision and said his party is still with the Shiv Sena and it’s chief Uddhav Thackeray. The BJP would lose the trust vote, said Sharad Pawar, alleging that Ajit Pawar had misled the Governor and handed him letters of support that had been taken for the Shiv Sena-led alliance. Devendra Fadnavis has to prove his majority by November 30.
