The government formation in Maharashtra has been held up for the time being with BJP exercising restrain to choose the best option available in the wake of fractured mandate. If BJP does not come forward to stake claim to form the government then Governor will have to invite it to do so on the ground that it is the single largest party. As per convention if the Governor invites BJP he will give the party a time frame to prove its majority on the floor of the House. Once majority is proved, may be with Shiv Sena or NCP support, there is no question of anyone moving a no confidence motion for the next six months. This is what BJP is eyeing as breather.BJP secured 122 seats of its own in the state polls and one independent, leaving it in need of 22 more MLAs to achieve clear majority. Though some independents have extended support yet the party is short of the majority mark of 145. The deficit cannot be an impediment because the 41-member strong NCP, after extending unconditional support is, unlikely to oppose the trust vote. As per Rule 198 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, which is also applicable to the state, a government which clears number test can be made to take another one only after six months. BJP is no mood to offer Sena Deputy Chief Ministership, post of Speaker or any of the ‘heavyweight’ portfolios. This way road is being cleared for NCP to be inducted as partner in government formation. Earlier NCP Chief Sharad Pawar had made his intentions clear of extending external support to BJP in the state. NCP also said that support to single largest party was nothing unusual, given that the alternative of having a ragtag coalition of minor outfits and more complication later on. So the number test is open and government formation is likely to take place on 27th Oct in Maharashtra.
