President’s rule was imposed in Maharashtra on Tuesday evening after 20 days of hectic parleying between political parties did not materialise in the formation of a government in the State.

The Union Cabinet recommended President’s rule on the suggestion of Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

Post the decision by the Centre, Shiv Sena filed a petition in the Supreme Court stating that the Governor did not give the party enough time to cobble together the support required to form a government.

In a writ petition filed under Articles 14, 21 and 32 of the Constitution, it challenged the Monday decision of Governor Koshyari of not allowing three days for submitting letters of support for forming a government. After rejecting Shiv Sena’s request for more time, the Governor lobbed the ball onto the court of Sharad Pawar-led NCP for staking claim by 8.30 pm on Tuesday. However, sources in Raj Bhavan said that the Governor pulled the plug on Tuesday afternoon itself as he was not satisfied that the NCP could muster enough support to form the government. The trigger was a request sent by the NCP to the Governor’s office seeking more time.

Opposition cries foul

The Opposition has questioned Koshyari’s decision to recommend President’s rule in the State much before the deadline given to the NCP to stake claim to form the government ended. The Congress and the Left parties said the decision is yet another example for the BJP’s “utter disregard” of the Constitution.

The Congress said Koshyari had committed a grave travesty of democracy and made a mockery of the Constitutional process in recommending President’s rule. “Four grave violations of the Constitutional scheme, as expressed in the SR Bommai judgment, stand out,” said Randeep Singh Surjewala, party’s chief spokesperson.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said he was still hopeful of forming a government with support from the Congress and the NCP. Brushing aside ideological differences with long-time rival Congress, he said if the BJP and Mehbooba Mufti's People's Democratic Party could find a way to work together, it is possible in the current situation as well. “We will find a way to work together... We have six months,” he said.

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, who flew to Mumbai on Tuesday for a discussion with Sharad Pawar, said that the first formal proposal for an alliance by the Shiv Sena was made to the Congress and the NCP on November 11.

“Before taking a decision on such an important matter we need to have a consultation with each other. A decision on talks with Sena will be taken once we have had talks between ourselves," Patel said.

Pawar said the NCP was in no hurry and would take a decision on supporting the Sena after further talks with the Congress. “We don’t want another elections in Maharashtra,” Pawar said.