President's Rule unlikely to be imposed in Maharashtra, Shinde could be caretaker CM

Despite no party or alliance staking a claim for government formation three days after the declaration of Vidhan Sabha poll results, the President's rule will not be imposed on Maharashtra. The tenure of the present Legislative Assembly ends today. It was feared that if the government is not formed by this date, then the Governor would put the state under President's rule.

In the last decade, there have been two instances of the President's rule in Maharashtra. In 2014, the President's rule was imposed for 32 days, from 28 September to 30 October. In 2019, it was imposed for 11 days, from 12 November to 23 November. The President's rule was withdrawn minutes before the early morning, secret swearing-in ceremony of Devendra Fadnavis as CM and Ajit Pawar as Deputy CM.

After election results are declared and the tenure of Vidhan Sabha ends, a Governor of the state could send a report to the central government recommending President's rule in the state.

However, such a report is sent only when the Governor is convinced that there is political instability in the state and no alliance or party is in a position to form the government. However, the post-poll circumstances in Maharashtra do not merit a President's rule. The mandate is clear for the Mahayuti alliance, with it getting many more numbers than required to gain a majority in Vidhan Sabha.

In the past, there have been two instances where President's rule was not imposed despite delays in government formation. As the tenure of Vidhan Sabha ends today, Eknath Shinde will visit Raj Bhavan and submit his resignation to Governor CP Radhakrishnan. Radhakrishnan, as per convention, is likely to ask him to continue as a "Caretaker CM," till the next CM is sworn in. While in the role of caretaker CM, Shinde cannot take any major decisions.

The deadlock over the CM choice could end today. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit Mumbai and conduct meetings with leaders of Mahayuti. He is likely to take a final call by Tuesday night. The swearing-in ceremony is likely to happen at Wankhede Stadium in the next three-four days.