The collapse of BJP coalition to form government in Maharashtra has paved a golden opportunity for the Congress to work out on how to prove majority. Senior leaders believe the same and have warned Sonia Gandhi that losing the opportunity would finish off the party in the state.
Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari told Centre on Tuesday that no political party is in position of forming a government in Maharashtra.
NCP was offered a deadline until Tuesday by 8:30 pm to submit documentary evidence of ability to form the government but a letter from the party yesterday morning wrote inability to submit such proof.
Following a report of Koshyari to the Centre a Union Cabinet meeting was held, just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Brazil to attend the BRICS summit. A recommendation was sent to President Ram Nath Kovind to impose President’s rule in the state.
Meanwhile, it is learned Congress is looking for a 3-way alliance with Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar-led NCP.
Former CM Ashok Chavan at one point questioned the eagerness of Congress to form government with “communal” Sena as it would probably be hurting the party with minorities.
Sonia Gandhi too was against forming government with the Sena but warning of state leaders is making her think over it again.
The Congress MLAs are currently corralled in Rajasthan as it was feared some of them may become vulnerable to the attempts of saffron to engineer defections.
Apart from these, some of the senior Congress leaders including Mukul Wasnik, Shivraj Patil and AK Antony have placed their views against joining hands with Sena.
