India’s ruling party makes surprise comeback in Maharashtra state

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi's party made an unexpected comeback to power Saturday (23) in wealthy Maharashtra state, home to the country's financial capital, after prolonged backroom negotiations saw presidential rule lifted after days of uncertainty.

President Ram Nath Kovind imposed direct rule on India's richest state last week after fiercely fought elections last month led to weeks of haggling between parties over forming a government.

The state was previously ruled by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its regional ally Shiv Sena.

But they failed to agree another power-sharing deal despite results showing the coalition had won a comfortable majority for a second consecutive term.

Shiv Sena quit the partnership, hoping to convince their ideological rivals, the centre-left Indian National Congress, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)to form a government instead.

In the end, though the BJP pulled off a major upset by joining hands with a top NCP leader to form a coalition, announcing the deal on Saturday.

"This bolsters the BJP and Modi's image in the state and the country," political commentator Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay told.

"While there were some questions being raised about their loss of dominance following election results, this verdict will cement Modi and BJP's control in the state", he added.

BJP's Devendra Fadnavis returned as Maharashtra chief minister, propped by NCP's Ajit Pawar, who took oath as deputy chief minister, even as NCP chief Sharad Pawar said the decision to side with Fadnavis was his nephew's personal choice and not that of the party.

The coalition still needs to prove its majority in the state legislature in a week's time in order to stay in power.

India has been battling an economic slowdown, and the imposition of presidential rule was a setback for Modi and for Mumbai, which is home to business tycoons, the stockmarket and the glitzy Bollywood film industry.

Under India's constitution, New Delhi can take direct control of a state in the absence of a local government and after obtaining consent from the president.

(AFP)