New Delhi, Nov 12 (UNI) Maharashtra came under President's rule on Tuesday, 19 days after the Assembly election results signified a severely fractured mandate.
In a series of fast-paced developments, President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent after the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the recommendation for Central rule.
Political uncertainty prevailed over the formation of government in the state amid heated exchange of charges and counter charges,.
Opposition asserted that a hurriedly-called Union Cabinet meeting, just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's departure abroad, endorsed Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari's recommendation and forwarded it to the President for the imposition of Central rule.
But an official release said on Twitter,"The Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari having been satisfied that as the government of the state of Maharashtra cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution, has today submitted a report as contemplated by the provisions of Art 356 of the Constitution.'
The Governor's recommendation for President's rule in the state came when he had given time to the Nationalist Congress Party till 2030 hours today to prove that they have numbers to form the government.
The sources, however, said that the NCP had requested more time to present their claim, which prompted the Governor to recommend President's rule in the state.
Earlier, Mr Koshiyari had given time to the Bharatiya Janata Party to form the government. However, the saffron party informed its inability to form the government, after its ally Shiv Sena demanded an equal power sharing.
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