Maharashtra was brought under President’s rule on Tuesday evening after governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari submitted a report to the Centre at noon although he had given the NCP time till 8.30pm to express ability and willingness to form the government.

The Assembly is being kept in suspended animation, which means the President’s rule can be revoked if any group is able to form the government.

The governor’s report to the Centre said none of the three political parties — the BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP — had cited sufficient support to stake claim to form the government even 18 days after the poll results had been declared, sources in the Union home ministry said.

Soon after, at an emergency meeting, the Union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi before he left for Brazil to attend the Brics summit, recommended President’s rule in Maharashtra.

“President Ram Nath Kovind signed a proclamation...imposing President’s rule in Maharashtra under Article 356(1). The Assembly has been kept in suspended animation,” said a home ministry spokesperson.

“The President’s rule is applicable for six months and can be revoked before that period if a situation emerges for the formation of a stable government. The President’s rule can be withdrawn if any party that can prove a majority in the Maharashtra Assembly can come forward to form the government,” the spokesperson said.

Asked why the governor did not wait till 8.30pm despite having given time to the NCP, the spokesperson said: “The governor said that the NCP on Tuesday morning conveyed to him that the party needed three more days to gather the requisite numbers to form the government. The governor felt that as already 18 days had passed, he was not in a position to give more time.”

The Shiv Sena approached the Supreme Court but an urgent hearing was not granted. A petition challenging the refusal to grant more time is expected to be taken up on Wednesday.

Sources said the top home ministry brass, including home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, rushed to the ministry office in North Block on Tuesday morning despite Tuesday being a holiday on Guru Nanak Jayanti.

“Home minister Amit Shah was keeping a close watch on the political developments in Maharashtra from his official residence in Delhi. Soon after the governor sent his report recommending President’s rule, the home secretary rushed to home minister Amit Shah’s bungalow for consultations,” an official said. “Later, the home secretary went to the Rashtrapati Bhavan carrying the governor’s report and the cabinet’s recommendation.”