Maharashtra: The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court delivered its verdict on the Maharashtra political crisis today. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said that the decision of Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari is not according to the constitution, although he also said that the resignation of Uddhav Thackeray cannot be cancelled. Had he not resigned, he could have gotten relief.
The hearing of this entire episode was completed by a five-judge bench. In March, the Supreme Court reserved its decision. The petition was filed by Uddhav Thackeray in the Supreme Court. A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justices MR Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli, and PS Narasimha gave this verdict.
Supreme Court says the Speaker must decide on disqualification petitions within a reasonable time.
Supreme Court further states that the status quo cannot be restored as Uddhav Thackeray did not face the Floor test and tendered his resignation. Hence, the Governor was justified… https://t.co/Zn81QefXMl
— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2023
At the same time, on the disqualification of 16 MLAs, the Supreme Court said that the Assembly Speaker would decide this matter. The Supreme Court further said that the status quo cannot be restored as Uddhav Thackeray did not face the floor test and tendered his resignation. That’s why it was justified by the governor to administer the oath to Eknath Shinde with the support of the single largest party, the BJP.
#WATCH | Whether democracy is alive in this country or not will be decided tomorrow and it will also be decided if our judicial system is functioning under any pressure or not: Uddhav Thackeray faction MP Sanjay Raut
The Constitution Bench of SC is likely to deliver the judgment… pic.twitter.com/aBe9NxnNbh
— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023
However, the Supreme Court held that the exercise of discretion on the part of Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was not in accordance with the Constitution of India. The Supreme Court said that floor tests cannot be used to resolve internal party disputes. Neither the Constitution nor the law empowers the governor to enter the political arena and play a role in intra-party or intra-party disputes.
Five-judge Constitution bench of CJI DY Chandrachud and Justices MR Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha to pronounce verdict today on a batch of petitions filed by rival factions Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in relation to the Maharashtra… pic.twitter.com/sVPm14vd9G
— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2023
The Supreme Court says the Speaker’s decision to appoint Gogawale (Shinde Group) as Chief Whip of the Shiv Sena Party was illegal. The Supreme Court said that the Speaker should recognise only the whip appointed by the political party. Regarding the Supreme Court’s decision, Shinde faction MLA Rahul Ramesh Shewale said that it is a big relief for the Shinde government in Maharashtra. Now the state will have a stable government.
