President's rule imposed in Maharashtra; Cong, NCP say no decision yet on Sena proposal

President's rule was imposed in Maharashtra on Tuesday evening after Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari in a report to the Centre stated that formation of a stable government was impossible in the current situation despite all his efforts, drawing flak from non-BJP parties.

The development came as the political impasse lingered on for the 19th day after the assembly election results were declared, with the Congress and the NCP saying that they have not yet taken any decision on Shiv Sena's proposal of forming a government which received only on Monday and will old further discussions.

At a joint press conference with Congress leaders deputed by Sonia Gandhi to hold talks with him, NCP president Sharad Pawar said the two parties will discuss and evolve a consensus on what should be the policies and programmes if the Shiv Sena was to be supported.

Congress leader Ahmed Patel insisted no final decision can be taken without formulation of a common minimum programme by the three parties. He ...