The Supreme Court today reserved its order on Maharashtra government formation for tomorrow 10:30 AM. Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for Maharashtra BJP has sought 7 days’ time for a floor test.
Mukul Rohatgi representing Maharashtra BJP: Governor in this case has given 14 days for floor test, reasonable time can be 7 days.The most important thing right now is the procedure of Appointment of Protem Speaker, Oath, Election of Speaker, and Agenda.
— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
He added that Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis went to the Governor to stake claim to form government with support of 170 MLAs. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena-NCP and Congress alliance has also staked claim to form the government stating that they have the numbers.
Appearing for the Secretary to the Maharashtra Governor Solicitor General Tushar Mehta handed over the original letter of the Maharashtra Governor inviting BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis to form government in the state. On 22nd November, the Governor had received a letter of support from 54 NCP MLAs from Ajit Pawar. The letter had stated that Pawar is the head of NCP legislative party and that the 54 MLAs are supporting him.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta hands over to SC the original letter of Maharashtra Governor inviting BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis to form government in Maharashtra. https://t.co/pIw9bOD1gd
— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
Speaking on allegations of horse trading SG Tushar Mehta said that everyone knew there is a pre-poll alliance between Shiv Sena and the BJP. “Your lordships often talk of horse trading but this is a case where the entire stable has been stolen,” he said. Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for NCP-Congress in the Supreme Court insisted on a floor test. He had submitted affidavits signed by 154 MLAs showing their support.
A Singhvi for NCP-Congress: I’m happy to lose floor test today, but they (BJP alliance) don’t want floor test.
He placed on record, affidavits signed by 154 MLAs showing their support, SC refused to accept it saying it can’t now expand scope of petition.He withdrew the affidavits https://t.co/jY2W2nInKa— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
However, the SC refused to accept the same saying that it was out of the scope of the petition. Following it, Singhvi withdrew the affidavits. Singhvi claimed that the letter produced by the BJP-NCP alliance in court is the signatures where NCP MLAs are electing Ajit Pawar as legislative party leader. Singhvi claimed the signed letter does not show their support to the BJP-NCP alliance.
On Sunday, hearing a petition on the issue of formation of the government by the BJP in Maharashtra, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre to produce supporting documents given to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis by NCP MLAs to form government in the state. The documents were to be placed before the Supreme Court by 10.30 am on Monday, when the court convenes. The matter was heard by the SC Bench of Justices NV Ramana, Ashok Bhushan, and Sanjiv Khanna.
In a massive political coup, the BJP and NCP leader, Ajit Pawar’ faction formed an alliance in the state of Maharashtra on Saturday morning. While people slept, Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the Chief Minister and Ajit Pawar was sworn in as the Deputy CM.
The previous night, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut had announced that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had agreed to become the chief minister of Maharashtra. But before they could make the next move, the tables had turned and BJP had already formed the government when they slept.
