CPI(M) Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on November 12

THE Polit Bureau strongly condemns the abrupt manner in which president’s rule has been imposed in Maharashtra.  The governor had given time till 8.30 pm tonight to the NCP leader, Sharad Pawar, to claim support of the majority of the elected MLAs to form the government. Even before the deadline set by him was over, he recommends the imposition of Article 356 by the president of India.

A hurriedly-called union cabinet meeting, just before the PM’s departure abroad, endorses the governor’s recommendation and forwards it to the president  for the imposition of central rule.

All these developments directly contravene the Supreme Court judgment in the Bommai case where it has been categorically stated that the only place where the claim to form a government can be established through a majority of the elected members is the floor of the house.  Without going through the procedures laid down by law, the BJP has acted in this manner, thus, brazenly violating our constitutional order.

It is clear that utilising the period of president’s rule, the BJP will indulge in all the methods in its arsenal to manufacture a majority for itself as it has done in several states earlier.

This constitutes yet another assault on the Indian constitution by this Modi government. This must be resolutely opposed by all secular democratic forces.