by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Exclusive report with Time Line of events
How dramatic coup was planned, executed and ….....
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, Nov 23:
The BJP pulled off a coup in Maharashtra when it formed the government early Saturday morning after the Governor B.S. Koshyari recommended revocation of President’s Rule in the state at midnight. The recommendation was sent to the President through the Ministry of Home Affairs over fax and email and also through a special messenger by flight. The Union Home Ministry lost no time in forwarding the recommendation to the President, Ram Nath Kovind overnight.
The President used his special powers conferred upon him under Clause 2 of the Article 356 of the Constitution whereby he can revoke the imposition of the President's rule on his own without waiting for the recommendation of the Union Cabinet. Otherwise, the President has to wait for the recommendation of the Union Cabinet to revoke the rule. But the Constitution gives adequate powers to the President to take a decision in his own wisdom and powers under the law.
How events unfolded:
22 November
8.00 pm: Governor B.S. Koshyari cancels his scheduled visit to Delhi causes some surprises;
8.45 – 9 pm: Ajit Pawar leaves NCP-Congress the meeting
11.30 pm: Ajit Pawar finalises a deal with BJP
23 November
12 am: Devendra Fadnavis apprises Home Minister Amit Shah details of developments, Shah discusses within party, gives go ahead;
12.15 am : BJP and NCP leader Ajit Pawar send letters of support satisfying the Governor of reasonable and stable majority
1.00 am : Koshyari recommends revocation of President’s Rule in the State, sends report through fax/email to Union Home Ministry.
1.45 am : Amit Shah's secretariat at his 6 Krishna Menon Marg residence here worked in full swing preparing all necessary documents for the President;
5.00 am: Special messenger of the Union Home Ministry hands-over documents to the President's secretariat and keeps waiting at the Rashtrapati Bhawan reception which was specially opened
5.30 am: The President walks down to his official chambers;
5.47 am: Uses his special powers and revokes President's rule
6.00 am Activities begin at the Governor House in Maharashtra
7.50 am: Koshyari starts the swearing-in ceremony process and oath ceremony complete
8.16 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates Fadnavis and Pawar on the government formation.
