A political crisis in the Indian state of Maharashtra occurred on 21 October 2019 after the declaration of results of the 2019 legislative assembly election over the formation of a new state government. The incumbent Bharatiya Janata PartyShiv Sena alliance crossed the majority of 145 seats needed in the assembly by winning a total of 161 seats in the alliance. Individually BJP won 105 and SHS won 56 seats. The Opposition INC-NCP Alliance with 106 seats did not reach the majority mark. Individually INC won 44 and NCP won 54 seats.
After the declaration of election results, Shiv Sena declined to support the BJP to form the government, demanding an equal share in power which was promised by BJP. Shiv Sena also demanded the post of Chief Minister for 2.5 years according to 50-50 promise.[1][2] But BJP declined such promise and eventually ended breaking ties with one of their oldest allies Shiv Sena.
The political crisis concluded when discussions between Shiv Sena, NCP and INC lead to the formation of a new alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi. A new government was formed by the Maha Vikas Aghadi, a new alliance of Shiv Sena, the Indian National Congress, and the Nationalist Congress Party, under Uddhav Thackeray. A consensus over government formation was finally achieved with Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray appointed Chief Minister after protracted negotiations.[4]
After the declaration of election results on 24 October, Shiv Sena declined to support the BJP to form the government, on demand an equal share in power which was promised by BJP. Shiv Sena also demanded the post of Chief Minister for 2.5 years according to 50-50 promise.[1][2] But BJP declined such promise and eventually ended breaking ties with one of their oldest ally Shiv Sena.
On 8 November 2019, the Governor of MaharashtraBhagat Singh Koshyari invited the BJP to form a government as the single largest party. However, the BJP declined to form the government on 10 November because it was unable to attain a majority. The invitation passed to the second largest party, Shiv Sena, to form government. On 11 November, the Governor invited the NCP to form government.[7] The next day, after the NCP also failed to gain majority support, the governor recommended president's rule to the Council of Ministers of India and the President. This was accepted, and president's rule was imposed.[2]
First Government Formation
In the early hours of 23 November, the president's rule was revoked and BJP's Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as Chief Minister for a second consecutive term, while NCP leader Ajit Pawar was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister.[8] On the other side, NCP chief Sharad Pawar announced that Ajit Pawar's decision to support the BJP was his own and not endorsed by the party.[9] The NCP split into two factions: one led by Sharad Pawar and the other led by his nephew Ajit Pawar.[10] Later in the day, Ajit Pawar was removed as the parliamentary party leader of the NCP. He clarified that, despite joining hands with BJP, he is an NCP worker and will remain so. The next day Shiv Sena, the NCP, and the INC petitioned the Supreme Court regarding the discretion of the state governor to invite BJP to form government. Shiv Sena also requested the Supreme Court order the new government to prove majority in the legislative assembly.[11] On 26 November, the Supreme Court ordered the new government to prove the majority in the legislative assembly by the evening of the next day. The same day, Ajit Pawar and Fadnavis resigned as Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Minister.[12]
Several NCP MLAs from breakaway faction who were present at Ajit Pawar's swearing in ceremony at Raj Bhavan later claimed that they were misled and were unaware of Ajit Pawar's defection. Shiv Sena, the NCP, and the INC rounded up their MLAs after Fadnavis' oath and kept them sequestered in various hotels and buses to prevent horse-trading.[13]
Second Government Formation
The discussions between Shiv Sena, NCP and INC ended with the formation of a new alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi. A consensus was finally achieved with Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray appointed Chief Minister after protracted negotiations.[14]
In 2022, during a party meeting, Uddhav Thackeray explained his move to pull out of NDA to join UPA. "We supported the BJP wholeheartedly to enable them to fulfill their national ambitions. The understanding was they will go national while we will lead in Maharashtra. But we were betrayed and attempts were made to destroy us in our home. So we had to hit back". Thackeray accused BJP of dumping its allies according to its political convenience. He said, "BJP doesn't mean Hindutva. I stand by my comment that Shiv Sena had wasted 25 years in alliance with BJP"[16]
At midnight, the BJP with NCP's Ajit Pawar claimed to form government. This was accepted by the Governor and a recommendation to lift president's rule was sent to the central government. At 5:47 am, president's rule was lifted from Maharashtra. In the early morning, at 8 am, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar took oath as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra respectively.
Shiv Sena, INC, NCP petition the Supreme Court for a special hearing.
.png)
