The Eknath-Shinde-led Shiv Sena-BJP government comfortably passed the majority-mark on Monday, winning the trust vote in the State Assembly, after weeks of twist and turns in Maharashtra politics which led to the fall of the Uddhav-Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government.
CM Shinde won the trust vote by a 164-99 margin, as 3 members abstained from voting, according to an ANI report.
The trust vote comes a day after BJPs Rahul Narvekar was elected the Assembly Speaker with a majority of 164 votes in the 287-member House.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena on Monday moved the Supreme Court challenging the decision of Mr. Narvekar to recognize the new party whip backed reported Bar and Bench.
A letter issued by Mr. Narvekar’s Office recognized Mr. Bharat Gogawale Chief Whip of the Sena, replacing Mr. Sunil Prabhu. Shiv Sena MLA Ajay Chaudhary was also replaced by CM Shinde as the legislative party leader.
The development comes as a major setback to the Uddhav Thackeray faction comprising 16 MLAs, who are bound to follow the whip, refusing which may result in disqualification.
Shiv Sena’s Aaditya Thackeray arrived in the House just minutes before the doors were locked for a head count. Mr. Thakceray voted against the whip and so may face disqualification proceedings.
Fadnavis: Government was formed because of ED, Eknath and Devendra
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday responded to the Opposition shouting out ‘ED’ in the floor test conducted in the Maharashtra Assembly.
Mr. Fadnavis wittily responded ‘Yes, this government was formed because of ED – Eknath and Devendra.’
The start of the turmoil in Maharashtra politics began with Shiv Sena’s rebel MLAs demanding that former CM Uddhav Thackeray should sever his ties with the Maha Vikas Aghadi government partners, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress, over what they perceived as ideological differences.
The Thackeray-led faction has sought the disqualification of 16 rebel MLAs, including Shinde, for which it moved the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court on Friday has agreed to hear the plea of Shiv Sena Chief Whip Sunil Prabhu, saying it was ‘fully conscious’ of the issue and would look into it on July 11 when the main plea of 16 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs against the disqualification notices would be heard.