Guv Jamir Asks Chavan to Respect People’s Mandate, Form Govt

With installation of government not looking any near, Maharashtra Governor SC Jamir has asked the NCP-Congress leaders to show respect to people’s mandate and form government as earlier as possible.

“The Governor told a BJP-Shiv Sena delegation that he had told caretaker Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and NCP leaders Chhagan Bhujbal and RR Patil that since the electorate of Maharashtra had given them a fresh mandate, it was their responsibility to respect the mandate and form a government without any further delay,” said a Raj Bhawan spokesperson.

Instantly reacting to governor’s call, Chavan said that it would take another 48 hours to form the next government in the state.

Earlier, the Opposition BJP-Shiv Sena combine called on the Governor asking him to impose President’s rule in the state in the event of a government not being sworn in within next 24 hours.

“We told the Governor that even 13 days after the Assembly poll results, there is no sign of a government being sworn in. The ruling alliance partners are haggling over plum portfolios, thereby delaying government formation,” Sena group leader in Assembly Subhash Desai told media persons at Raj Bhawan.

BJP group leader in the Assembly Eknath Khadse said that the tenure of the 11th Assembly expired on Tuesday and the Congress and the NCP are still squabbling over portfolios.

“The Congress-NCP leaders are delaying formation of the new government despite the October 22 results giving them the mandate to rule,” he added