Devendra Fadnavis resigns as Maharashtra CM twice, in a month

Fadnavis submitted his resignation to Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at the Raj Bhavan after announcing the same at a press conference earlier.

Addressing the press conference, Fadnavis detailed the events that led to the falling out of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, which won a clear majority in the Maharashtra polls last month.

He extended his best wishes to the next Maharashtra government.

Fadnavis took a swipe at the Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP alliance, saying they will form a "very unstable government as there is huge difference of opinions."

He said, "I doubt that this three-wheeler govt will be stable but BJP will work as an effective opposition and try to raise the voice of people," calling the Shiv Sena "power-hungry" for allying with Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi.

Fadnavis said, "Shiv Sena told us before the election, that they will go with anyone which gives them the CM post."

He added, "We waited for them for a long time but they didn't respond and instead talked to Congress-NCP. People who never stepped outside Matoshree (Thackeray residence) to meet anyone were going door-to-door to make a government with NCP and Congress."

Fadnavis's resignation followed that of his deputy, Ajit Pawar.

The NCP had been urging Pawar to resign as Deputy CM, threatening eviction, since he went against party leadership to form an alliance with the BJP.

Although NCP leader Jayant Patil claimed to have no knowledge of Pawar's resignation, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut confirmed the update.

Pawar resigned due to "personal reasons," Fadnavis said.

Fadnavis's announcement comes on the day when the Supreme Court asked the BJP-led government to prove its majority in a floor test by Wednesday 5pm.

A three-judge Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice NV Ramana, was hearing a petition filed by Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP against Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's "arbitrary and malafide actions" for "installing a minority BJP government."

On Tuesday, the 'Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi' alliance—which includes the three parties along with other smaller parties—staged a show of strength at an event titled 'Amhi 162' (We are 162) at Hotel Grand Hyatt.

At the event, 162 MLAs pledged support to the alliance and vowed to not be lured by BJP.

With 162 MLAs, the alliance is well above the 145 majority mark.