New Delhi: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari refused extra time to not just the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to form government in the state, but he also refused to extend the deadline given to former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis when he sought one day more in response to the governor wanting to know if his party is able or willing to form the government.
The term of the previous BJP government in the state expired on 9 November.
“…. in view of all the facts and circumstances prevailing at that time, I informed him (Fadnavis) immediately that, it would not be feasible for me to grant any further extension beyond 8 p.m. on 11th November, 2019,” Koshyari wrote in his report to the central government, recommending imposition of President’s Rule in Maharashtra.
Junior Home Minister G. Kishan Reddy tabled Koshyari’s report in Lok Sabha Tuesday. It was sent to President Ram Nath Kovind on 12 November.
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Inviting Congress could have resulted in unethical practice
Koshyari has said in the report that he did not invite the Congress to stake claim to form the government the way he invited the other three parties because the party with 44 members could have never achieved the “magic figure” of 145 in a 288-member House without taking recourse to “unethical, unlawful and therefore forbidden methods”.
According to the report, out of the total 288 elected members in the Maharashtra assembly, the BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena along with eight other members, whose support the Sena claimed to have, together constituted 223, leaving just 65 members. Of this, only 44 members were elected from the Congress.
“It is needless to mention here itself that the difference between number 65 and required majority figure of 145 is too large and too vast, which is almost impossible to bridge, unless, of course, illegal and unconstitutional methods are adopted…” the report stated.
NCP was candid, it said couldn’t stake claim by 12 Nov
Koshyari also wrote in his report that when he had written to NCP leader Ajit Pawar, the latter very candidly told him it is impossible to stake claim to form government by 8.30 pm on 12 November and the party will require three more days to complete discussions.
The governor said he was constrained to reject the NCP’s demand “as in my considered view it would not be feasible for me to grant any further extension beyond 8.30 p.m. on 12th November 2019”.
According to the report, he recommended President’s Rule after none of the political parties that contested the elections came forward to stake claim at government formation, even 17 days after the election results were out on 24 October.
Koshyari noted that it is not at all “desirable” to continue with a caretaker government keeping in view the extremely narrow scope for the functioning of such an arrangement.
“… such a caretaker government has very limited power, jurisdiction and authority. Suffice it to say that it cannot authorize withdrawal fund, for any purpose whatsoever from the consolidated fund of the state. It cannot take any policy decisions. It cannot take any steps towards legislative functions. It is pertinent to note that in the month of December passage of the supplementary grants has to take place. In its absence there will be virtually an administrative chaos,” the report further stated.
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The Governor is not Koshyhari, but he turned Baghat Singh Hoshiyari when it came turns of non BJP parties.
I hope you read the constitution and power of governmenor.
Even after 7 days from imposition of President rule there is no claim of forming majority government. Don’t blame governor for it.
It’s still open to any party or 145 MLA to form government. So your bias favoring opposition has no justification.