BJP’s 8-point charter to counter MVA challenging Shinde govt

After thoroughly studying the 140-page verdict, the BJP top leadership has decided to counter the opposition by pointing out how none of its eight prayers placed before the Supreme Court has been accepted.

A highly placed source in the party said, “At the BJP state executive meet, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis listed eight points to expose how Shiv Sena ( UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray failed. None of their eight demands made in court were accepted.”

The BJP has directed its cadre to put across its argument vehemently and impress upon people how courts have upheld Shinde-led government in Maharashtra by not reinstating the Thackeray government.

According to Fadnavis the eight demands made by Thackeray faction in court are: scrap the Governor’s decision to invite Eknath Shinde to take oath as CM; scrap the process and appointment of Speaker Rahul Narwekar on July 3, 2022 in Vidhan Bhawan; reject the proceedings of state legislative assembly on July 4, 2022 and confidence motion in favour of CM Eknath Shinde; decide the petitions against Eknath Shinde and others seeking disqualification under section 142 of the Constitution; reject Speaker’s letter dated July 3, 2022; reject Governor’s letter to Uddhav Thackeray dated June 28 2022 and Vidhan Bhawan secretariat letter; dismiss Speaker’s summons under 10th schedule; and suspend the process initiated by chief whip Bharat Gogawale against disqualification of elected members representing Shiv Sena (UBT).

According to Fadnavis, “none of these demands made by Thackeray camp was accepted by the SC”. “Yet, Thackeray is celebrating SC verdict saying it was in its favour,” he said.

According to state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule, “The BJP is just placing facts. We are not weaving theories. The SC verdict has given legitimacy to Shinde-Fadnavis government.”

Even as party insiders admit that it is ultimately public perception, which will help win or lose a poll, they said, “Our arguments are factually correct taken from verdict.”

MVA political strategists believe Fadnavis eight-point agenda is “clever tactic” to suit BJP’s campaign. Congress chief Nana Patole said, “The SC has made serious strictures against Governor’s role in Shinde government formation.”

The Chief Justice of India had said, “The Speaker should have conducted an independent inquiry to identify whips issued by political party. Decision of Speaker to hold that Bharat Gogawale was whip of Shiv Sena was illegal.”

On role of the then Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, the bench said, “The governor had no objective material in calling for floor test.”

The verdict went on to say, “Floor test cannot be used as medium to resolve inter-party disputes or intra party disputes. Even if it is assumed that the MLAs wanted to exit the govt, they constituted only a faction. There is a marked difference between the party not supporting the government and the individuals not supporting it. Neither the Constitution nor the law empower the Governor to enter the political arena and play a role either in inter-party or intra-party disputes.”