President's rule imposed in Maharashtra

The central government on Sunday imposed President's rule in Maharashtra following the resignation of Prithviraj Chavan as state Chief Minister due to the breakup of the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance.

BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that it was a natural outcome after the NCP withdrew support from the Congress and it became a minority Government.

"It's a natural outcome after the NCP withdrew support from the Congress in Maharashtra, the state government became a minority government, and after that state Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan resigned, and having said that there is a constitutional provision in the state and where there is minority government, president's rule is imposed," said Rudy.

"The centre has taken a conscious call and recommended President's rule in Maharashtra, it's a constitutional process and now the state administration would be run by the Governor of Maharashtra with the advisers appointed by the central Government," he added.

Rudy however, downplayed reports of the BJP being asked to form government in Maharashtra saying, "It's absolutely bizarre and ridiculous that the party has been asked to form government in the state, the BJP is going to score majority in Maharashtra and form a stable government."

BJP state unit spokesperson Madhav Bhandari added, "This decision has been taken as per the constitutional provision. Due to this, the Maharashtra administration will work freely without any pressure from the Congress or the NCP and doors are now open in the state for fair elections."

Another BJP leader Shaina NC said that it was a clear indication to the people of Maharashtra that they must vote for a stable government in the state.

"This is a constitutional provision, it is a clear indication for the public of Maharashtra that you must vote for a stable government in order not to have these kind of scenarios of coalition politics."

On Thursday, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) broke its alliance with the Congress ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra, blaming their erstwhile allies of not being on the same page as far as the allocation of seats in the state was concerned.

The NCP's announcement came minutes after the BJP ended its 25-year alliance with the Shiv Sena.

Earlier on Friday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan submitted his resignation to Governor C.V. Rao, after his Congress Party snapped its ties with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Chavan served as Maharashtra Chief Minister for a little less than four years.