‘Victory of truth’: Shinde, Fadnavis hail SC verdict, hit out at Uddhav

The five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday termed former Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s decision asking the Uddhav Thackeray government to prove its majority on the floor of the House following the rebellion by a group of Shiv Sena MLAs led by Shinde as “unjustified” but said it cannot restore his government as he had resigned without facing a floor test.

In his reaction to the verdict, Uddhav demanded the resignations of Shinde and Fadnavis. “Despite so many strictures of SC, if any morality is left with the CM and deputy CM, they should resign as I did and face elections,” Uddhav said.

In a sharp retort against Uddhav, Fadnavis said, “What right does he have to raise morality? After the 2019 elections, he betrayed the BJP and joined hands with the Congress-NCP for power and the CM’s post. His decision to resign as MVA CM has nothing to do with morality. He knew his government was reduced to a minority and would get defeated on the floor of the House had he faced a no-confidence motion.”

Expressing satisfaction with the verdict, Fadnavis said, “It was clearly stated that status quo ante will not be brought, Uddhav Thackeray will not be made the CM.” Also, Fadnavais pointed out, the decision on the disqualification of 16 rebel Sena MLAs has been referred back to the Speaker. Those facing disqualification, “will have rights to participate in the functioning of the Assembly regardless of the pendency of the case”, he said.

Putting up a strong defence for Shinde Sena, Fadnavis, who himself is a law graduate, said, “ You have to look at the verdict in totality along with conclusions. The judgment has upheld the then governor’s (Bhagat Singh Koshyari) decision to direct Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA to hold a floor test and prove the majority after 40 rebels withdrew support from Shiv Sena (undivided).” Similarly, he explained, “The judgment also did not contest the Election Commission of India’s decision to exercise its independent authority to award title (Shiv Sena) and symbol (bow and arrow) to Eknath Shinde faction.”

“The verdict, purely on the basis of merit, has given the Shinde-led government a right to continue,” Fadnavis said.

Reflecting on the growing criticism for his rebellion, Shinde said, “We have taken forward Bal Thackeray’s ideology. It is because of us the title of Shiv Sena and bow and arrow symbol are intact.”