Update: President signs president’s rule order for Maharashtra

Mumbai: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Tuesday recommended President’s rule in the state.

As per a statement tweeted by Koshyari’s office, “He is satisfied that the government cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution, (and therefore) has today submitted a report as contemplated by provision of Article 356 of the Constitution.”

Article 356, commonly known as President’s rule, deals with ‘failure of constitutional machinery in the state’.

It is learnt that NCP today morning at 11.30 am wrote a letter to Governor seeking extension of 48 hours at they were not able to submit the letters of support by 8.30 pm time limit today. Governor had earlier given 24-hour time to BJP and Shiv Sena as well, so as NCP. NCP by seeking extension at around noon itself concluded that it was not able to submit letters today. Reports of horse trading were also reaching Governor, it is learnt. As 18 days time had already given to all parties to stake claim, and parties were still seeking extension, Guv recommended President’s rule after consultation with officials.

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday also recommended President’s rule in Maharashtra where no political party has been able to form a government after the Assembly polls last month.

Sources said the Union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met in Delhi this afternoon to discuss the political impasse in Maharashtra and decided to recommend to the president to impose Central rule in the state.

As per sources, President R N Kovind is currently not in Delhi and he is likely to return from Punjab anytime. Cabinet decision file will be put up to him after he reaches. The purported assessment, based on report of Maharashtra governor, was that no party or formation of parties is currently in position to form govt. Since assembly will be under suspended animation, it can be revived as and when any party or alliance has the numbers to form govt.

Javdekar given charge of Sawant’s portfolios

President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant from the Union council of ministers with immediate effect, a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said.

Sawant’s resignation has been accepted on advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the spokesperson.

As advised by the prime minister, the president has directed that Union minister Prakash Javadekar be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises in addition to his existing portfolios, the spokesperson added.