President's rule imposed in Maharashtra after weeks of political drama

After weeks of political drama in Maharashtra,  the state on Tuesday came under President's Rule as Ram Nath Kovind approved Governor BS Koshyari's report recommending it. The President's Rule was imposed after no party staked claim to form the government even more than a fortnight after the results of the Assembly polls were announced on October 24.

Earlier, Governor Koshiyari had given Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) till November 12, 8:30 pm to prove it had the numbers after Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena on Monday were unable to get letters of support from its political rivals before the deadline set by the Governor came to an end.

After the Governor refused to extend the deadline given to the Uddhav Thackeray-led party to prove they have the numbers to form the government, Sena approached the Supreme Court on Tuesday, seeking an urgent hearing.

According to the reports, Congress has indicated that they are keen on a chief minister from its ally NCP backed by the Shiv Sena. A recent report by India Today suggests that NCP is also considering rotational CM with Shiv Seva, while the Deputy CM will be from Congress for the entire term.

Meanwhile, according to a report by India Today, despite the state having gone under President's Rule for six months, the imposition can be withdrawn if any party is able to prove the majority numbers before that. That being said, this brings back all parties, including the BJP, back into play for power in the state.

Therefore, it can be expected that the next few days will see all the political parties in play who will go heavy on negotiations to achieve the magic number. According to reports, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials have said that the President's Rule has been implemented for six months and it can be withdrawn before that if any party is able to prove the numbers.