Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday demanded the imposition of President's Rule in Maharashtra after the Mahayuti alliance failed to form a government by the end of the Assembly?s term on November 26. Despite a landslide victory in the state elections, the alliance has not yet declared its Chief Minister or formed a government.

Raut criticized the delay, saying, ?They (Mahayuti) have got a massive majority, yet they have neither decided on the Chief Minister nor formed a government. When we were hopeful to form the government, we were told that if we failed to do so by November 26, President?s Rule would be imposed.?

The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, secured over 230 of the 288 Assembly seats. However, internal discussions over portfolio allocation are reportedly causing the delay in announcing the next Chief Minister. Sources have indicated that once these issues are resolved, the leadership will be formally declared.

Raut also raised doubts over the integrity of the election process, alleging manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). He said, ?We have been raising the EVM issue for the last 10 years. When Congress was in power, the BJP questioned EVMs. Listen to Modi?s old speeches?he called EVMs a fraud. If EVMs are removed, BJP won?t win even 25 seats in the entire country.?

Legal experts, however, clarified that there is no constitutional requirement for a government to be formed before the Assembly term ends. Reports, including one by News18, noted that President's Rule does not automatically come into effect if the government formation is delayed. Historical examples show that governments and Chief Ministers have been sworn in even after the Assembly term expired.

As the Mahayuti alliance works to resolve its internal differences, all eyes remain on the leadership to break the impasse and form a new government.