Shiv Sena LIVE Updates: Uddhav Asks Shinde to Resign on Moral Grounds After SC Verdict; CM Says Truth Has Won

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde hailed the Supreme Court’s verdict and called it a ‘victory of truth’. “This is the victory of truth. In a democracy, the majority is important. Nobody is above the law. We formed the government within the framework of the law. It was a government of a majority. Supreme Court has ratified it today,” Shinde said while addressing a news conference at Sahyadri, Mumbai.

Reacting to Supreme Court’s observation that had Uddhav Thackeray not resigned, it could have restored the staus quo, the former Maharashtra CM said he resigned voluntarily on moral grounds. He also accused the rebel MLAS of betraying Shiv Sena and late Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy.

“They (now Shinde faction MLAs) betrayed my party and the legacy of my father. My resignation as the CM then may have been wrong legally, but I did it on moral grounds,” news agency ANI quoted Thackeray as saying.

Reacting to Supreme Court’s observation that it would have restored the staus quo had Uddhav Thackeray not resigned and faced the floor test, the former Maharashtra CM said his fight was for the people, the state and the country, not for himself. “I am not fighting for myself. I am fighting for the people, the state and the country,” he said.

Reacting to the Supreme Court’s verdict today, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray said if Eknath Shinde and Devendra Shinde have any morality left, they should resign. A Supreme Court bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud observed that although the Maharashtra Governor was not justified to call the MVA government for a floor test in the Assembly, the court cannot restore the status quo since Uddhav Thackeray had voluntarily resigned without facing the floor test.

Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented the Uddhav Thackeray side in Supreme Court in the Maharashtra political crisis case stated that the Shinde-led Sena-BJP government has no legal or moral right to continue. Singhvi referred to the top court’s judgement stating the appointment of Bharat Gogawale (Shinde faction) as chief whip was illegal.

“What moral and legal right does this government has to continue for even a minute more when there are findings against the Governor, Speaker and the recognition of the Whip?” news agency ANI quoted Singhvi as saying.

The Supreme Court declined to restore the status quo in Maharashtra, in a blow to former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. However, the court did observe that the actions of the Governor were not in accordance with the rule of law. READ MORE

Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented the Uddhav Thackeray side in Supreme Court in Maharashtra political crisis case, stressed that the Speaker should disqualify the 16 rebel MLAS. The SC, while pronouncing the verdict, asked the Speaker to decide the disqualification proceedings of the 16 MLAs (Shinde faction).

“The Speaker has to give a decision on the disqualification petitions in a time-bound manner. The Speaker should disqualify the MLAs. Only by doing this justice will be served,” news agency ANI quoted Singhvi as saying.

Reacting to the Supreme Court’s judgement stating that the appointment of Bharat Gogawale (Shinde faction) as chief whip was illegal, AAP leader Sanjay Singh said the Shinde-led Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra should resign immediately on the basis of morality.

“The appointment of Chief Whip in Maharashtra is a wrong decision taken by him. On the basis of morality, the Shinde government should resign immediately,” tweeted the AAP leader.

Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Rahul Ramesh Shewale welcomed the Supreme Court verdict and said the state will now get a stable government. “This is a big relief to the Shinde government in Maharashtra. Now the State will get a stable government. We welcome Supreme Court’s decision,” Shewale was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

After the Supreme Court’s verdict granting relief to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra, CM Eknath Shinde and his Deputy Devendra Fadnavis are set to hold a news conference at 2 pm at Sahyadri, Mumbai.

Maharashtra Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar Welcomes the Supreme Court verdict and said that the question of whether the Maharashtra government will be stable has been answered by the Supreme Court. In a relief to Eknath Shinde, the Supreme Court in its judgement said it cannot restore the status quo since Uddhav Thackeray had resigned.

The top court, however, stated that the appointment of Bharat Gogawale (Shinde faction) as chief whip was illegal. The SC further asked the Speaker to decide the disqualification proceedings of 16 MLAs.

After the Supreme Court’s verdict stating although the Maharashtra Governor was not justified to call the MVA government for a floor test in the Assembly, the court cannot restore the status quo since Uddhav Thackeray had resigned, the NCP accused the Governor, Bhagat Singh Koshyari of acting as BJP cadre.

“So the truth is, Ex governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari acted as a BJP cadre and not as a bearer of a constitutional position whose role is to be a neutral guardian of the state,” tweeted NCP leader Clyde Crasto.

A Supreme Court bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud observed that although the Maharashtra Governor was not justified to call the MVA government for a floor test in the Assembly, the court cannot restore the status quo since Uddhav Thackeray had voluntarily resigned. The SC verdict comes as a relief for the Shinde-led Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra.

The Supreme Court, while pronouncing judgement on a petition seeking disqualification of 16 Shiv Sena MLAs (Shinde faction), observed that this is extraordinary circumstance that warrants the court to decide the proceedings in the matter. The SC further asked the Speaker to decide the disqualification proceedings.

A Supreme Court bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud observed that although the Maharashtra Governor was not justified to call the MVA government for a floor test in the Assembly, the court cannot restore the status quo since Uddhav Thackeray had resigned.

While pronouncing the verdict on a batch of cross-petitions filed by Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde factions, a SC bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud said the Governor was not justified to call the MVA government for a floor test in the Assembly. “The Governor’s actions were not according to the rule of law,” the CJI said.

The Supreme Court further observed that Uddhav Thackeray’s resignation was a mistake. The bench led by CJI added that had Thackeray not resigned, the court would have restored the status quo. “Status quo cannot be restored since Thackeray resigned,” the bench added.

“Floor test cannot be used for resolution of an intra-party dispute,” CJI DY Chandrachud said while pronouncing the verdict, adding that that the Maharashtra Governor had no objective material to doubt the confidence of the MVA government and call for a floor test. “The Governor’s actions were not according to the rule of law,” the CJI further said.

“The speaker on taking cognisance of the statement by Eknath Shinde did not undertake to identify who was the whip. He should have undertaken an enquiry. The decision to appoint Bharat Gogawale as chief whip was Illegal since whip can be appointed only by the legislative political party,” the Supreme Court said while pronouncing the judgement.

“The house of people or legislative assemblies of states is elected by the people and coalition is formed if no single party crosses the halfway mark. To hold that it is a legislature party which appoints the whip would be to severe the umbilical cord with the political party. It means group of MLAs can disconnect from the political party. Whip be appointed by PP is crucial for the 10th schedule,” CJI DY Chandrachud said, adding that the State Assembly Speaker was aware of the split within the Shiv Sena.

CJI DY Chandrachud referred the matter to a larger bench and said, “Decision in Nebam Rabia cannot be accepted the order dated June 27 did not rely on Nebam Rabia. This court granted extension of time to file their written submission in view of the principles of natural justice. Decisions in Nebam Rabia merits reference to larger bench.”

CJI spoke in reference to the question whether the notice for removal of a Speaker restricts him from continuing with disqualification proceedings under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution, as held by this Court in Nebam Rebia judgment.