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 The President's rule was withdrawn minutes before the early morning, secret swearing-in ceremony of Devendra Fadnavis as CM and Ajit Pawar as Deputy CM.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.