'Maha' Crisis: Sena to boycott Constitution Day program in Parliament

22:36 November 25

Shiv Sena will not take part in the Constitution Day program in Parliament tomorrow.

22:36 November 25

Shiv Sena MPs Anil Desai, Gajanan Kirtikar, Arvind Sawant & Rahul Shewale met Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi, earlier today.

19:37 November 25

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar arrives at Hotel Grand Hyatt where Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress MLAs have assembled.

19:30 November 25

Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge and Ashok Chavan arrive at Hotel Grand Hyatt where Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress MLAs have assembled.

19:29 November 25

"Long live Maha Vikas Aghadi" slogans raised at the hall in Hotel Grand Hyatt, where Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress MLAs have assembled.

19:21 November 25

Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray & Aaditya Thackeray arrive at at Hotel Grand Hyatt where Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress MLAs have assembled.

19:20 November 25

Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress MLAs assemble at Hotel Grand Hyatt.

19:14 November 25

Preparations are underway at Hotel Grand Hyatt where MLAs from Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress will assemble shortly.

19:00 November 25

Hitting out at the BJP-Ajit Pawar government in Maharashtra, the Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged that the only decision it had taken in "public interest" was to close "all cases of corruption and malfeasance".

"'Contract killing' of democracy has now also become 'contract killing' of honesty and accountability in Maharashtra. No wonder, the only decision taken in 'public interest' by BJP-Ajit Pawar is to close all cases of corruption & malfeasance. The BJP way of probity in public life," Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a tweet.

19:00 November 25

"We are all one and together. Watch our 162 (MLAs) together for the first time at Grand Hyatt (in Mumbai) at 7 pm, come and watch yourself Maharashtra Governor," Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut tweeted on Monday.

17:33 November 25

Congress slams BJP over closure of irrigation cases in Maharashtra

Raosaheb Patil Danve, BJP leader on Monday said,"There is no 'Operation Lotus', we have enough MLAs for the majority, we are not threatening any MLA. Sanjay Raut's allegations are false, after a few days he will have to be sent to a mental hospital."

17:09 November 25

Maharashtra Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) DG, Parambir Singh while speaking to a news agency said, "We are investigating around 3000 tenders in irrigation related complaints. These are routine inquiries which are closed and all ongoing investigations are continuing as they were earlier."

16:49 November 25

Maharashtra Anti Corruption Bureau sources said that the cases that were closed today were conditional, cases could reopen if more information comes to light or courts order further inquiry.

16:18 November 25

According to highly placed sources in Maharashtra Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), in the list of cases being circulated on social media, none of the cases belong to alleged irrigation corruption case against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar.

16:18 November 25

NCP legislator Anil Patil on Monday clarified that he was not missing nor was abducted since the formation of government in the state last week.

"First of all, I request the media that I have not gone missing or was abducted. When we reached the hotel (in Delhi), at least 100-200 BJP workers were present there along with a lot of police cars and personnel in civil dress. We were scared," Patil told reporters here.

"We told Sharad Pawar Sahab that we want to return and stay with the party. He assured us that we will be brought back and made the necessary arrangements," he added.

16:17 November 25

We have given letter of support of 162 MLAs to Guv: Eknath Shinde

Speaking to reporters, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde said that they have given the letter of support of 162 MLAs to the governor.

"In a democracy, only the majority number holds importance. We want that the minority govt formed on 23rd November should resign as they can't prove the majority. Those with the majority should be given opportunity," Shinde added.

15:42 November 25

I wasn't missing nor abducted, says NCP legislator Anil Patil

BJP will get befitting reply in Maha assembly floor test: Cong

The Congress' alliance with the NCP and Shiv Sena has the support of 154 MLAs, the party said today minutes after the Supreme Court reserved its order on a petition by the three parties on the formation of a new government in Maharashtra.

The BJP will get a "befitting reply" in the floor test in the Maharashtra assembly, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters.

12:49 November 25

Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde speaking to media

Expelling someone is not individual's decision: Pawar

When asked if Ajit Pawar will be expelled from the party, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said, "this is not something for which a single individual takes a decision, it has to be decided by the party when the matter comes before it."

12:38 November 25

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala speaking to media

Govt has been formed on the basis of false papers and documents claims Jayant Patil

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Jayant Patil claimed that the current government in Maharashtra has been formed on the basis of false papers and documents.

He further said, "Today, on behalf of NCP, few of our leaders met Governor and gave him a letter showing the strength of 162 MLAs."

12:32 November 25

BJP doesn't have majority claims Pawar

NCP chief Sharad Pawar said it is a fact that BJP didn't have the majority and that is why they had not formed the government.

"The BJP had even written to the Governor initially that they don't have the majority and hence will not form the government," said Pawar .

12:15 November 25

NCP leader Jayant Patil

Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena leaders submit letter at Raj Bhavan

Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena leaders submitted a letter of MLAs supporting their alliance, to the officials at Raj Bhavan.

11:50 November 25

Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena arrive at Raj Bhavan

Leaders of Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena reached the Raj Bhavan to meet the governor.

10:57 November 25

Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena leaders at Raj Bhavan

Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress will meet Governor today: Raut

While briefing the media, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that Congress, Shiv Sena, and NCP stand united.

"Today, all the three parties will go to meet governor," said Raut.

10:36 November 25

Leaders of Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena arrive at Raj Bhavan

Chhagan Bhujbal reaches Ajit Pawar's residence

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal reached Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's residence to talk to him.

10:13 November 25

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut briefing the media

2 out of 4 NCP MLAs return to Mumbai

Two out of four Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs who were reported missing since after government formation reached Hyatt hotel today.

NCP leaders said that the two MLAs- Daulat Daroda and Anil Patil- were lodged in a hotel in Gurgaon and came back to Mumbai along with Nationalist youth Congress president Dheeraj Sharma and Nationalist Student Congress chief Sonia Doohan on late Sunday night.

Another lawmaker Nitin Pawar had already reached Mumbai on Sunday while NCP MLA Narhari Zirwal is currently at a safe location in Delhi, party leaders said.

09:13 November 25

NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal reaches Ajit Pawar's residence

52 legislators with us claims Nawab Malik

NCP leader Nawab Malik said that 52 MLAs have come back to Sharad Pawar-led party.

"52 MLAs of the party have come back to us, one more is in touch with us," Malik told media.

On Sunday evening, all NCP MLAs were moved to hotel Hyatt in Mumbai, citing security concerns.

09:04 November 25

Missing NCP MLAs return to Mumbai on Monday

Sharad Pawar leaves to attend death anniversary of former Maharashtra CM

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar leaves for Karad to attend an event on the death anniversary of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Yashwantrao Chavan today.

08:58 November 25

NCP leader Nawab Malik

Only one or two of our party MLAs are not at Hyatt Hotel, says Chhagan Bhujbal

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal said, "We are here (Hyatt Hotel) to meet our party MLAs. Only one or two of our party MLAs are not here."

07:31 November 25

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar leaves to attend death anniversary of former Maharashtra CM

According to sources, CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar discussed on various measures for additional support and assistance to unseasonal rain affected farmers.

Senior BJP leaders Chandrakant Patil, Vinod Tawade and Girish Mahajan attended the meeting held at the official residence of the chief minister, the party sources said

The apex court directed the Centre to place before it on Monday morning the letters of the governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari inviting Fadnavis and of the BJP leader staking his claim to form the government in the state.

A late night tweet from the CMO Maharashtra, however, said the CM and the Deputy CM discussed various measures for rain-hit farmers.

In a dramatic turn of events in Maharashtra, President's Rule was lifted on Saturday morning, following which Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were sworn in as chief minister and deputy chief minister, respectively, by the governor.

07:22 November 25

NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal speaking to media

Nine people arrested in BJP-NCP clash

Nine people arrested in a clash allegedly between Bharatiya Janata Party & Nationalist Congress Party workers.

Case was registered against 17 people, out of which 9 have been arrested till now.

00:12 November 25

Ajit Pawar meets Fadnavis; CMO says they discussed farmers

NCP workers question presence of two cops at Mumbai hotel

A video of two police officials in civvies present in a Mumbai suburban hotel, where NCP MLAs are put up, being 'questionned' by a party leader has gone viral.

The video shows party MLA Jitendra Awhad and workers asking the policemen about their business in hotel Renaissance in Powai.

The legislators were moved to the hotel on Saturday night, hours after senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar joined hands with the BJP and took oath as deputy chief minister.

When Awhad asked one of the policemen the reason behind their presence at the hotel, he replied they were just "sitting there".

Awhad even examined the identity card of the official.

"Such a high-ranking officer is sitting here for no reason? Do you think we are fools?" he asked further.

New political partners--the Congress, the NCP and the Shiv Sena--are guarding their MLAs in different hotels in Mumbai, to ward off any attempt of poaching ahead of the floor test in the Assembly, schedule of which is not announced yet.

The Sena-Congress-NCP combine had moved the supreme court on Saturday demanding that the floor test be held within 24 hours.

However, the apex court on Sunday said it would deal with the matter on Monday.

23:26 November 24

The bus carrying Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs reached Hotel Hyatt from Hotel Renaissance, where the MLAs were lodged earlier.

23:22 November 24

Ajit Pawar calls on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister visited Devendra Fadnavis at his residence late evening.

23:03 November 24

Bus carrying Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs

Yuva Swabhiman Party MLA, Ravi Rana who pledged support to BJP earlier, after meeting with Maharashtra Deputy CM says,

"I congratulated him, it took time but the state now has good CM and Deputy CM. MLAs will be more than 175, it will increase even more due to what is happening in Shiv Sena."

22:45 November 24

Ajit Pawar calls on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Floor test will make clear with whom are NCP MLAs, says Independent legislator Kore

Independent MLA Vinayak Kore, who has extended support to the BJP, met Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and said that the floor test will make clear the stand of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs.

"We can see that two factions have cropped up within the NCP. We will get to know through the floor test who has the bigger faction. How many people are with Ajit Dada (Ajit Pawar) and how many with Pawar Sa'ab," Kore told reporters.

Earlier, Ajit said the BJP-NCP alliance will provide a stable government in Maharashtra.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar has said there is no question of stitching alliance with the BJP.

21:06 November 24

I am with party, I am with Pawar saheb : Dhananjay Munde

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Dhananjay Munde says, "I am with party, I am with Pawar saheb. Please don’t spread rumours."

21:05 November 24

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut arrives at the residence of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar for a meeting.

20:07 November 24

NCP MLAs shifted to Hotel Hyatt, citing security reasons

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to move its MLAs to Hotel Hyatt, due to security reasons, from Hotel Renaissance where they are currently lodged.

20:06 November 24

Congress leader Ahmed Patel at JW Marriott Hotel

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel arrives at JW Marriott Hotel, where Congress MLAs are currently lodged.

Other party leaders Ashok Chavan, Balasaheb Thorat, Sushil Kumar Shinde, & Mallikarjun Kharge are already present at the hotel.

19:34 November 24

Dilip Bankar, NCP MLA says they're supporting NCP, not BJP

"NCP MLA Dilip Bankar, who was reportedly present at the swearing-in ceremony of Ajit Pawar: I've always been with Pawar Sa'ab (Sharad Pawar). I met him and told him that my child was ill. I had to go to Nashik, so I couldn't come to meeting yesterday. We're supporting NCP and not BJP."

19:34 November 24

Congress leader Ahmed Patel at JW Marriott Hotel

50 NCP MLAs with us, 4 with BJP will also be back: Nawab Malik

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said that 50 of its MLAs were with Sharad Pawar, while BJP had just four who are also likely to return to the fold soon.

"We have the support of 50 of our MLAs. All of them are not staying at the hotel. Only 4 MLAs are with are with the BJP and we are hopeful they will come back with us," NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik told reporters here.

Malik added that the NCP was hoping for Ajit Pawar's return to the party's fold to accept Sharad Pawar's decision.

"In his tweet, Ajit Pawar has clearly stated that he considers Sharad Pawarji as his leader. We are hopeful that Ajit Pawar will realise his mistake and will be back to accept Sharad Pawar's decision," Malik said.

19:14 November 24

NCP Chief, Sharad Pawar denying Ajit Pawar's statement tweets

Pawar asserts that there is no question of forming an alliance with the BJP.

19:09 November 24

Nawab Malik, NCP

Senior-most member should be made Pro-tem Speaker: Ashok Chavan

Accusing the BJP of seeking more time to poach MLAs, former Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Chavan said that the senior-most MLA should be made the Pro-tem Speaker of the House.

"The senior-most member of the Assembly should be made the Pro-tem Speaker as per the precedence," said Chavan while speaking to media persons outside JW Marriott Hotel in Andheri.

"The BJP is trying to gain more time from the Supreme Court. You can understand the motive behind this. They are trying to poach MLAs from other parties," he added.

Earlier today, Congress MLAs were shifted to JW Marriott Hotel.

"There is no question of NCP and BJP coming together. Ajit Pawar is misleading the people. He has been removed from the leadership (Leader of Legislative party) of NCP by Sharad Pawar and Jayant Patil is the new leader of this party," Chavan told.

"They don't have numbers now. NCP is with Shiv Sena alliance. Hence Ajit Pawar will be the Deputy Chief Minister of the state only for a few days," added Chavan.

18:04 November 24

Maharashtra: NCP workers protest against Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers staged a protest against party leader Ajit Pawar after he joined hands with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form a government in Maharashtra.

Party workers raised slogans against Ajit Pawar and said that his decision to join the BJP government was a betrayal of party workers' trust.

On Saturday, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar took oath as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra respectively.

17:57 November 24

Ashok Chavan, Congress

I am in NCP, Pawar Saheb is our leader: Dy CM Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Deputy CM, Ajit Pawar confirms the BJP-NCP alliance stating that the parties will provide a stable government in Maharashtra for the next five years which will work sincerely for the welfare of the state and its people.

17:41 November 24

Ashish Shelar, BJP after meeting of party legislators in Mumbai says:

In today's meeting, all expected MLAs were present, a meeting of those independent MLAs who are supporting us will be held at a different place.

17:27 November 24

Shiv Sena's Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut met Nationalist Congress Party's Supriya Sule and Rohit Pawar at Hotel Renaissance today.

17:19 November 24

Ashish Shelar, BJP after meeting of party legislators in Mumbai

17:11 November 24

Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut met Nationalist Congress Party's Supriya Sule and Rohit Pawar

It is unconstitutional: Sena's Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar on Maharashtra govt formation

Shiv Sena's Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar claimed that the government formed by Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar in Maharashtra is unconstitutional and demanded that "floor test should be conducted within 24 hours."

"We have filed a plea in the court that the Maharashtra government is unconstitutional as it was formed without the floor test... We demand that the floor test should be held in 24 hours and there should also be an appointment of the pro-term speaker."

The Sena's leader also commented on Ajit Pawar's letter of support by the MLAs saying, "The letter was misleading. We have the support of 41 MLAs so the majority cannot be proved on the floor."

He also demanded that the live telecast of the division vote should be done.

17:10 November 24

Amid push for floor test, Fadnavis meets BJP MLAs

Amid the push of NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress for a floor test, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met BJP's newly-elected MLAs here.

Speaking to a media agency, BJP legislator Ram Kadam said the party has no dearth of MLAs. "We have required numbers of MLAs," he said.

The BJP leader said the meeting was called in view of the floor test. "The Governor will call a session where MLAs will be sworn in and a floor test will be conducted," said Kadam.

Senior BJP leaders including national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav, state BJP chief Chandrakant Patil attended the meeting.

16:43 November 24

Shiv Sena Supremo Uddhav Thackeray, along with Aditya Thackeray, arrive at Lalit Hotel where Shiv Sena MLAs are lodged.

16:40 November 24

Ajit Pawar thanks leaders for their congratulatory tweets

16:33 November 24

NCP contacts 3 'missing' MLAs, claims they are with party

The NCP has claimed that three of its five MLAs, who went 'missing' on Saturday after attending the swearing-in of Devendra Fadnavis as Maharashtra's Chief Minister along with NCP's Ajit Pawar as his deputy, have been contacted and they are with the party. Till Sunday morning, five NCP MLAs - Daulat Daroda (Shahapur), Nitin Pawar (Kalwan), Narhari Zhirwal (Dindori), Babasaheb Patil (Ahmedpur), Anil Patil (Amalner) - were reported 'missing', party spokesperson Nawab Malik said.

The party has been able to contact Anil Patil, Babasaheb Patil, and Daroda, he said.

Malik took to Twitter and tagged Anil Patil's tweet in which the latter said he continues to be part of the NCP and expressed faith in the leadership of Sharad Pawar. In the tweet, Patil said he went to the Raj Bhawan since Ajit Pawar was the legislature party leader.

"I wasn't aware about what was going to happen at the Raj Bhawan. I am with Sharad Pawar," Patil said in the tweet. Malik said this was an indication of Patil's return to the party fold.

16:19 November 24

Alliance has majority, will prove if floor test happens: Surjewala

Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Sunday said that Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena alliance has "full-majority" with it in Maharashtra and accused the BJP of running away from the floor test.

"The day the floor test will take place it would be proved that the alliance (NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena) has the majority. BJP neither had the majority earlier nor now, nor will they be able to prove majority in future," said Surjewala.

15:14 November 24

Uddhav Thackeray arrives at Renaissance Hotel

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has arrived at Renaissance Hotel, in Mumbai, to meet NCP MLAs.

15:14 November 24

Alliance has majority, will prove if floor test happens: Surjewala

NCP MLA Manikrao Kokate reaches Renaissance hotel

NCP MLA Manikrao Kokate has reached Renaissance Hotel where other MLAs of the party are staying. He had reportedly accompanied Dy CM Ajit Pawar to the Governor’s residence & was missing since yesterday.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar is present at the hotel to meet the MLAs. NCP MLA Manikrao Kokate has reached Renaissance Hotel where other MLAs of the party are staying.

He had reportedly accompanied Dy CM Ajit Pawar to the Governor’s residence and was missing since yesterday. NCP chief Sharad Pawar is present at the hotel to meet the MLAs.

14:41 November 24

Fadnavis govt should be asked to undergo immediate floor test in Maha: Chavan

Congress leader Prithivraj Chavan on Sunday demanded that the Fadnavis government in Maharashtra be asked to undergo immediate floor test.

Talking to reporters outside the Supreme Court, Chavan said that in the joint plea by the Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena, they have sought Supreme Court's intervention to order immediate floor test.

14:33 November 24

Maha case: SC issues notices to Centre, Maha govt, Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar

The Supreme Court on Sunday issued notices to the Centre and Maharashtra government on a petition filed by the Shiv Sena-NCP-Cong combine against the Maharashtra Governor's decision to swear in Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister.

A bench of Justices N V Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna also isused notices to Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

The bench also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to produce letters of the Governor tomorrow at 10.30 am for passing orders.

14:11 November 24

Fadnavis govt should be asked to undergo immediate floor test in Maha: Chavan

Maharashtra Guv committed 'no illegality', SC should not order floor test: Mukul Rohatgi

Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi while arguing on behalf of BJP in Supreme Court appealed the court not to pass an order to fix the date for the floor test in Maharashtra Assembly and asserted that Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari has committed no "illegality".

" There is no need for the court to pass an order today. There was no illegality in the Governor's decision. The court shoould not pass an order to fix the date of the floor test. The three partie shave no fundamental right," said Rohatgi.

13:27 November 24

Fadnavis won't be able to prove majority, should resign: NCP's Nawab Malik

NCP leader Nawab Malik on Sunday demanded the resignation of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying that he will not be able to prove majority on the floor of the House.

Speaking to media outside NCP chief Sharad Pawar's house, Malik said, "By this evening all the MLAs of our party will come back to us. Fadnavis will not be able to prove majority on the floor of the House, we demand that he tenders resignation."

13:26 November 24

NCP, Sena, Cong shift MLAs to hotels amid poaching threat

Amid the high political drama in Maharashtra and threat of 'poaching' of MLAs, the NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena have shifted their legislators to different luxury hotels in Mumbai. While the Congress moved its MLAs to the J W Marriott hotel in Juhu area, the NCP legislators were staying at The Renaissance hotel in Powai, sources said. Besides, the Shiv Sena MLAs are staying at The Lalit hotel located near the international airport, they said.

13:03 November 24

SC:

Issue invloved in main writ plea is governor's discretion

Produce letters of support by 10:30 am tomorrow

12:48 November 24

SC says:

Order of Governor to be produced in Court by tomorrow

Letter of Support to be produced by tomorrow

12:41 November 24

NCP chief Sharad Pawar leaves for Renaissance Hotel to meet party MLAs

SC says:

Order of Governor to be produced in Court by tomorrow

Letter of Support to be produced by tomorrow

12:31 November 24

SC says:

Order of Governor to be produced in Court by tomorrow

Letter of Support to be produced by tomorrow

12:27 November 24

SC says:

Order of Governor to be produced in Court by tomorrow

Letter of Support to be produced by tomorrow

12:24 November 24

Singhvi argues:

Government that claims to have numbers must be willing

12:24 November 24

Solicitor General argues:

Individuals can file such a petition, not political parties

12:24 November 24

Singhvi cites various SC judgements

Singhvi cites various judgements of the Supreme court, including the Goa judgement.

12:21 November 24

Singhvi says:

The best way to decide cases such as these is through floor test

The whole idea to promote horse trading

12:14 November 24

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argues:

Don't have instruction from Governor

12:14 November 24

Singhvi argues:

Ajith pawar was sacked from the party yesterday, how on earth can he become Deputy CM if NCP says we don't recognise Ajit Pawar

12:06 November 24

Senior Congress leader and advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing NCP, begins his argument:

Governor didn't seek ask for signatures or a meet with MLAs: ABhishek Manu Singhvi

12:03 November 24

Rohatgi argues:

No violation of fundamental right

Present petition not maintainable

12:02 November 24

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta raises technical objections over the petition

12:01 November 24

Rohatgi begins his arguments:

There is a government in place...I don't know why there is a hearing on Sunday...there should not be a hearing on Sunday.

12:00 November 24

Mukul Rohatgi arrives at SC

Mukul Rohatgi, who is arguing for the BJP and Devendra Fadnavis arrives at the Supreme Court

11:57 November 24

Kapil Sibal argues:

If BJP has a majority, let them prove it on the floor of the House

No one knows when the letter of support was submitted

Haven't seen such things happening in a democracy

Letter of support not in public domain

11:54 November 24

Kapil Sibal argues:

If BJP has a majority, let them prove it on the floor of the House

No one knows when the letter of support was submitted

Haven't seen such things happening in a democracy

Letter of support not in public domain

11:53 November 24

Kapil Sibal argues:

If BJP has a majority, let them prove it on the floor of the House

No one knows when the letter of support was submitted

Haven't seen such things happening in a democracy

Letter of support not in public domain

11:50 November 24

Kapil Sibal argues:

If BJP has a majority, let them prove it on the floor of the House

No one knows when the letter of support was submitted

Haven't seen such things happening in a democracy

Letter of support not in public domain

11:50 November 24

Kapil Sibal argues:

If BJP has a majority, let them prove it on the floor of the House

No one knows when the letter of support was submitted

Haven't seen such things happening in a democracy

Letter of support not in public domain

11:46 November 24

Kapil Sibal argues:

If BJP has a majority, let them prove it on the floor of the House

No one knows when the letter of support was submitted

Haven't seen such things happening in a democracy

Letter of support not in public domain

11:43 November 24

Maharashtra: Complaint filed for 'missing' NCP MLA

Merely hours after the BJP made a surprise comeback to power in Maharashtra, a missing complaint was filed at a Thane police station for a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA on Saturday.

NCP MLA Daulat Daroda allegedly went missing after visiting the Raj Bhavan, where Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar took oath as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of the state, respectively.

Former MLA Pandurang Barora filed the missing complaint at Shahapur Police Station in Thane on Saturday evening. Daroda is an MLA from Shahapur constituency.

11:37 November 24

Cong MLAs being shifted to JW Marriott in Mumbai

Congress MLAs being shifted to JW Marriott Hotel in Andheri.

11:37 November 24

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi to appear for BJP in SC

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi to appear for BJP in Supreme Court today. SC will be hearing today at 11.30 am the joint plea of Shiv Sena, NCP & Indian National Congress against the decision of Maharashtra Governor inviting Devendra Fadnavis to form govt yesterday.

11:35 November 24

NCP legislature unit leader Jayant Patil arrives at Sharad Pawar's residence

NCP's newly appointed legislature unit leader Jayant Patil arrives at party chief Sharad Pawar's residence.

11:09 November 24

Sena-NCP-Cong combine has support of 165 MLAs: Sanjay Raut claims during press con

Ajit Pawar sacked from NCP, Jayant Patil replaces him as party's legislative head

The NCP on Saturday evening removed Ajit Pawar as the party's legislature unit leader replacing him with Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil after Pawar joined hands with the BJP and took oath as the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra.

Ajit Pawar's actions defied the party's policies, said a resolution passed at the legislature wing's meeting here, attended by party supremo Sharad Pawar.

State NCP chief Jayant Patil will have all the constitutional rights till the next legislature party leader is elected, it said.

10:18 November 24

Maharashtra: Complaint filed for 'missing' NCP MLA

Cong leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi to represent NCP for SC hearing

Congress leader and advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi to appear for the NCP in the Supreme Court for the hearing.

10:10 November 24

Kapil Sibal to appear for Supreme Court hearing, say reports

Reports suggest Congress leader and senior advocate Kapil Sibal is expected to appear for the Shiv Sena and Congress in the Supreme Court for the hearing, which is scheduled to begin at 11.30 am.

10:10 November 24

BJP MP Sanjay Kakade to meet NCP chief Sharad Pawar

BJP MP Sanjay Kakade arrives at NCP Chief Sharad Pawar's residence in Mumbai

09:59 November 24

NCP legislature unit leader Jayant Patil arrives at Sharad Pawar's residence

Raut takes dig at Fadnavis-Pawar; mocks oath-taking ceremony as 'accidental'

Taking a dig at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputy Ajit Pawar, senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut tweeted 'Accidental oath-taking (ceremony)' .

Raut was referring to the astounding twist on Saturday morning when Fadnavis returned as chief minister propped up by Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) Ajit Pawar, who was made his deputy.

Just hours earlier, the Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress alliance had reached a consensus that Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray would be their chief ministerial candidate.

Fadnavis and Ajit were sworn in by Koshyari around 7.30 am at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai after President's Rule in the state was lifted in a dramatic overnight development at 5:47 am.

Raut is known for his satirical poetries and one-liners that he keeps posting on his Twitter handle.

09:49 November 24

Maharashtra/ New Delhi:The Supreme Court will on Sunday hear the urgent petition moved by Congress, Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party challenging Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's move regarding government formation in the state.

According to reports, the apex court is expected to take up the case for hearing around 11:30 am. The bench of Justice NV Ramana, Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Sanjiv Khanna will hear the joint petition of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, challenging Governor's decision to swear-in Devendra Fadnavis as CM.

The three parties had on Saturday moved the SC seeking an urgent hearing on their plea against what they called the "arbitrary and malafide actions/decisions" of Maharashtra Governor inviting Fadnavis to form the government on November 23.

In their plea, the allies alleged that the Maharashtra Governor's invite to BJP's Devendra Fadnavis to form the government and the oath-taking ceremony was illegal and sought quashing of his decision to swear-in BJP's Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister.

It also demanded an immediate floor test to avoid "further horse-trading" and a direction to the Maharashtra Governor to invite them to form the government under the leadership of Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, saying they have the support of more than 144 MLAs.

Addressing the reporters outside the Supreme Court, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the three allies had demanded an urgent floor test in Maharashtra Assembly.

"We have asked for an urgent floor test. The law demands a floor test. The registry took our petition. On Sunday at 11:30 am, the Supreme Court will hear the matter. We hope that democracy and law will win," Randeep Surjewala said.

This development came after an astounding twist on Saturday morning when Fadnavis returned as chief minister propped up by Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) Ajit Pawar, who was made his deputy.

Just hours earlier, the Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress alliance had reached a consensus that Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray would be their chief ministerial candidate.

Fadnavis and Ajit were sworn in by Koshyari around 7.30 am at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai after President's Rule in the state was lifted in a dramatic overnight development.

Ajit's decision created a fissure in the NCP, whose chief Sharad Pawar distanced himself from his nephew's dramatic action, saying the decision to back Fadnavis for his second consecutive term was "a personal choice" and not that of the party.

Later in the day, the NCP removed Ajit as the party's legislature unit head, saying his move was not in line with the party's policies and gave state unit head Jayant Patil temporary rights until the election of a new leader.

There has been no official confirmation on reports that the governor has asked Fadnavis to prove his majority in the Assembly by 30 November.

09:41 November 24