A day after Maharashtra Governor S.C. Jamir met Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Mr. Chavan announced on Wednesday that the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) would be forming the government within 48 hours.
Hectic parleys began between the two parties as they sought to end the long-standing stalemate over power sharing.
“Both the parties have sat together and the discussions went off well. We are now in touch with [Delhi] every hour. The swearing-in could be on Thursday evening or on Friday,” Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Manikrao Thakre told The Hindu over phone.
In what could serve as an indication of a swift resolution, the scene of action shifted to Delhi, as Mr. Bhujbal, NCP president R.R. Patil and NCP leader Ajit Pawar left for the capital to meet party chief Sharad Pawar and chief negotiator Praful Patel.
‘Issues will be resolved’
“I think the issues will be resolved. Only a four-line letter would be handed to the Governor [staking claim to the government],” NCP general secretary Gurunath Kulkarni told The Hindu.
There was an indication from the Congress that since the differences could not be sorted out at the State level, the party high command in Delhi would step in to give the final verdict.
A Congress spokesperson said that if the letter is presented on Thursday, the Cabinet could be sworn in the day after.
Earlier in the day the Opposition parties met Mr. Jamir and proposed a 24-hour ultimatum followed by President’s Rule.
