After BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the chief minister of Maharashtra, the Congress in the state have taken all their MLAs to a resort in Bhopal. Sources said that the Shiv Sena have shifted their MLAs to Jaipur.
Mumbai: The Congress in Maharashtra has flown its MLAs to a resort in Bhopal while sources said that Shiv Sena MLAs have been moved to Jaipur. The decision was taken after a faction of NCP led by Ajit Pawar forged an alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra.
In an overnight twist, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis took oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister for the second consecutive term, along with the support of Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) Ajit Pawar.
The two leaders were sworn in by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at a function in the Raj Bhavan just before 8 am in the presence of a few BJP and NCP leaders, and other government officials.
Soon afterwards, Fadnavis said that the Governor would give them a letter instructing when to prove the new government's majority on the floor of the Assembly. He also added that the cabinet would be expanded at a later date.
Ajit Pawar's decision to support BJP came at a time when the NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena had almost finalised a deal to form the government in Maharashtra.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad speaking on the government formation in Maharashtra said, "The governor has taken the call and we will prove our majority on the floor".
He further added that the BJP had a 70% success rate in the 150 seats that were contested in Maharashtra's 2019 polls. “Congress and NCP leaders said the mandate with them was to sit in opposition then how did they think of forming a government. When Shiv Sena breaks a 30 year old alliance and sides with the opposition, isn't that the murder of democracy?” questioned the minister.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawle said, "There is a good possibility that Ajit did not speak to Sharad Pawar...but it is clear that Ajit Pawar was not interested in going with Shiv Sena...but Ajit Pawar's decision is correct."
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