Maharashtra govt formation LIVE: Uddhav to lead govt for 5 yrs, says Pawar

Maharashtra government formation LIVE updates: Shiv Sena, NCP, Congress alliance - likely to be christened 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' -may be formally announced today

7:54 PM

Uddhav Thackeray to lead new Maharashtra government: Pawar

The new government in Maharashtra will be formed under the leadership of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, NCP president Sharad Pawar said on Friday.

 

Emerging from a marathon meeting of top leaders of the Congress, the NCP and the Sena, who are making efforts to form government in Maharashtra, Pawar said there was a consensus on Thackeray's leadership.

 

"There is a consensus that leadership of the government will be with Uddhav Thackeray," he told reporters after the meeting.

 

He said the meeting at Nehru Centre in central Mumbai deliberated extensively on finalising an agenda for governance. 

7:05 PM

Consensus on Uddhav to lead Maha govt; talks in progress on other issues: Pawar

7:02 PM

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar after Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress meeting: Tomorrow a press conference will be held by the three parties.Discussion are continuing. Tomorrow we will also decide when to approach the Governor 

6:52 PM

Congress-NCP-Sena discuss CMP, power-sharing structure in Maharashtra

Congress and NCP leadership on Friday discussed Common Minimum Programme (CMP) and power- sharing arrangement with Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray as the process of government formation in Maharashtra involving the three parties gathered pace.

 

Senior Congress leader Manikrao Thakare told PTI that Friday's meeting of top Congress, NCP and Sena leaders was part of efforts by the three parties to evolve a consensus on development agenda for governance for the prospective ruling coalition.

 

"The draft of CMP and power-sharing arrangement worked out by the Congress-NCP is being discussed with the Shiv Sena leadership. Based on what has been agreed upon and any suggestions to be incorporated is being worked out further," said the former Maharashtra Congress chief.

6:50 PM

5:17 PM

BJP activist moves SC against post-poll alliance

A BJP activist from Maharashtra has filed a plea in the Supreme Court against the post poll alliance of the NCP-Shiv Sena-Congress in the state calling it an "unholy" one, even as the three parties were in a final huddle on Friday to cobble together the numbers.

 

Surendra Bahadur Singh in his plea contended that voters had given a clear mandate to the BJP-Sena alliance. "The present petition seeks to stop the unholy alliance between three political parties which have all fought against each other but is trying to form a government by joining hands thereby defeating the electoral mandate," said the plea.

 

The petitioner seeks the apex court orders to restrain the Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari from inviting the NCP-Shiv Sena-Congress to form a government in against mandate.

5:14 PM

Stake claim for govt formation on Friday night or Saturday: NCP

The Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress will stake claim to form government in Maharashtra either late night on Friday or Saturday morning, NCP's chief spokesman Nawab Malik has said. Malik also said the three parties will give priority to running the government for five years.

 

"Some leaders of the three parties will meet in the evening (on Friday). They will discuss all the points and take the final call. We will stake claim to form the government late tonight or in the morning tomorrow," Malik said.

 

He reiterated the chief minister's post will go to the Shiv Sena.

4:01 PM

Ideological differences between Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP, govt won't last if formed, says Gadkari

Amid various speculations over government formation in Maharashtra, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said that the ideological differences between Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP will lead to instability of their government even if it is formed.

 

"There are ideological differences among Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP. The government will not go much ahead even if it is formed", Gadkari said.

 

Meanwhile a Congress Legislative party meet is underway at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai.

 

Earlier NCP and Congress leaders met with leaders of other allies to hold discussions over the political situation of the state.

 

NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena are holding hectic deliberations and talks and are inching closer towards government formation in Maharashtra.

11:58 AM

NCP calls Shiv Sena, Congress for meeting at 4 pm

11:51 AM

Maharashtra govt formation LIVE: Sanjay Raut heads to Lilavati hospital for a checkup

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, who underwent an angioplasty earlier this month, went for a routine checkup at Lilavati Hospital in suburban Bandra on Friday.

 

The Rajya Sabha MP underwent an angioplasty on November 12.

 

The Shiv Sena leader has been at the forefront of Maharashtra power tussle since the state Assembly election results were declared on October 24.

 

Raut (57), who has led the Sena's charge to seek equal share in power, visited the private hospital for a routine checkup.

11:33 AM

11:21 AM

Pawar outwitted Chanakya of politics: NCP takes a jibe at BJP

NCP chief Sharad Pawar has finally "outwitted" the "so-called Chanakya of the Indian politics", the party said on Friday, as it inches closer to forming a government with Shiv Sena and Congress in Maharashtra.

 

The NCP's chief spokesperson Nawab Malik also reiterated that the throne of Delhi could not make Maharashtra bow before it.

 

"@PawarSpeaks Sahab has finally outwitted the so- called Chanakya of Indian politics. The throne of Delhi could not make Maharashtra bow down before it. Jai Maharashtra," Malik tweeted, without naming anyone.

 

It is believed that Malik's jibe was directed at Union home minister and BJP president Amit Shah, who is often credited for being instrumental in the BJP's victories in several polls and government formations in the country.

10:53 AM

Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena when asked,"if Sharad Pawar has suggested his (Raut) name for the post of Maharashtra CM': This is incorrect. People of Maharashtra want Uddhav Thackeray as the Chief Minister.

10:25 AM

People of Maharashtra want Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to become the CM, says Raut

"The time for offers has ended," Raut said, when asked about reports that the BJP had agreed to share the CM's post with the Sena.

 

"People of Maharashtra want Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to become the CM," he said.

 

Asked if the three non-BJP parties would meet the state governor on Friday itself, Raut quipped, "Why meet the governor when the President's rule is in place". 

10:19 AM

Maharashtra govt formation LIVE: Full term Sena CM in two days, says Raut

Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena: Shiv Sena Chief Minister will be there for full 5 years.

10:14 AM

Maharashtra govt formation LIVE updates: Sena won't side with BJP even if offered Lord Indra's throne, says Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that Shiv Sena won't side with BJP even if offered Lord Indra's throne. "Why meet governor when President's rule is in place," the Shiv Sena leader added.

9:49 AM

9:32 AM

Final round of discussions today, 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' inching closer to form govt