Letter of support has 54 NCP MLAs signatures: Centre to SC

The Supreme Court on Monday resumed hearing on a petition filed by NCP-Shiv Sena-Congress against the decision taken by Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta who is representing the Centre has submitted two letters to the Top Court. Mehta has told the top court that Ajit Pawar gave the letter of support of 54 NCP MLAs to Governor BS Koshyari, as legislative party leader of the NCP.

Mehta said Fadnavis had staked claim, citing 170 MLAs in his support.

“This letter cited support by 54 NCP MLAs. There was no reason for the Governor to doubt all this,” he added.

The Apex Court yesterday issued notice to Centre, Maharashtra Government, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar after hearing the petition of Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress challenging Governor’s invitation to Fadnavis to form the government in the state

Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were sworn in by Governor Koshyari on Saturday morning after dramatic midnight developments, leading to the lifting of President’s Rule in Maharashtra.

The opposition parties have accused Governor BS Koshyari of acting illegally.