In Maharashtra, the Supreme Court today gave its verdict regarding the disqualification of 15 MLAs including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Supreme Court has held the Governor’s floor test wrong. The court said that Thackeray himself resigned. If Uddhav had not resigned, he could have given relief. The court gave relief to the Shinde faction and said that the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly should now decide on the disqualification of the MLAs. Now if the Speaker disqualifies Shinde and the remaining 15 MLAs, can the Shinde government fall?
Why the Shinde government will survive in any case-
But in the meantime, it is worth noting that even if the court’s decision on this matter comes against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his 15 MLAs, even then there will be no threat to his government. Actually, the total number of MLAs in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly is 288. Out of these, if 16 MLAs also become disqualified, then the number is 272. In such a situation, the support of 137 MLAs is necessary for the government to have a majority. At present, BJP-Shiv Sena together have a majority of 164 MLAs. In such a situation, even if 16 out of 164 MLAs become ineligible, the strength will be 148, so there is no danger to the Shinde government.
What decision did the Supreme Court give today?
Let us tell you that while giving the verdict on the application of the Uddhav group, the Supreme Court questioned the role of the Governor and said that he cannot call a floor test to settle the internal disputes of the party. The court said that Uddhav had resigned without a floor test and if he had not resigned, the court could have reinstated him.
When Uddhav government fell
Significantly, the political crisis in Maharashtra reached its peak on June 29, 2022, when the apex court refused to stay the governor’s direction to conduct a floor test of the 31-month-old Thackeray-led MVA government. Uddhav Thackeray resigned as chief minister, following which the Shiv Sena-BJP government led by Shinde was formed.