Any one with numbers can approach Maharashtra governor: Amit Shah

NEW DELHI: Home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday refuted the claim of opposition parties that they were denied their “democratic right” to form government in Maharashtra after Governor B S Koshyari recommended President’s rule, saying those with numbers can approach the Governor.
In an interview to ANI, Shah said the opposition parties were indulging in “outright politics”. He said the Governor had given them 18 days and with Maharashtra now under President’s rule and the assembly in suspended animation, all parties have six months to make efforts at government formation.They could approach the Governor to stake claim as and when they have the requisite numbers. In his first remarks on the break with Shiv Sena, the minister — who is also BJP president — elaborated on the differences, particularly on the issue of chief ministership. He said Sena had not once contradicted public statements made repeatedly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and himself during the campaign — that Fadnavis would be the CM if the alliance won.
“Now that some new terms are being raised, the party (BJP) has some reservations and will discuss these at an appropriate time,” he said. Shah added that he is not going to dwell on private discussions but made it clear that there was no ambiguity on Fadnavis being CM for the full term.
Defending the Governor’s decision to recommend President’s rule ahead of the 8.30 pm Tuesday deadline set for NCP to stake claim, Shah said the time limit became redundant when NCP submitted a letter around 12 noon on Tuesday, communicating its inability to form government.
Shah emphasised that the Governor’s decision to recommend President’s rule was as per constitutional norms. He said: “The Governor waited for 18 days after notification of the assembly for someone to stake claim. Any party or formation of parties could have approached the Governor.”
The invites were sent out by the Governor when the term of the earlier assembly expired on November 9. “But no party could show the numbers to stake claim. Every body asked for extra 1-2 days... now they have six months. They can approach the Governor any time now to stake claim,” he said. He said President’s rule was necessary as there could be allegations that a temporary BJP government was being run in Maharashtra.