Verdict a victory for democracy, seal of approval for our govt, say Eknath Shinde & Devendra Fadnavis

MUMBAI: A jubilant chief minister Eknath Shinde said the Supreme Court verdict was “a slap for those who called the government illegal and unconstitutional” and described it as a seal of approval. His deputy, Devendra Fadnavis, called it a “victory for democracy and the mandate of the people” and said he was satisfied with the ruling.
In a joint press conference, they lashed out at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for saying he resigned as chief minister on moral grounds.
“Thackeray quit the chief minister’s post because he knew he did not have the numbers and would lose the trust vote. He resigned because he was scared and ashamed,” said Fadnavis. There is no question of Shinde resigning since the apex court has validated their government.

“Where was Thackeray’s morality when he left the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance after winning the elections with us and joined the MVA alliance for the chief minister’s chair?” asked Fadnavis. “You left your ideals for the chair while Shinde left his chair for his ideals,” he added.
Shinde stressed that it was his party that safeguarded the Shiv Sena’s morality by going with BJP and respecting the 2019 mandate of the people. “We saved the bow and arrow symbol,” said Shinde.

Fadnavis further said after the verdict of the SC, MVA “conspiracy” has been defeated. “The present government is completely legal,” he added.
Asked about the Supreme Court’s criticism of then governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari for ordering a floor test, Fadnavis said: “The verdict made certain observations but it did not strike out what he did. In the Bommai judgment, the court has observed that the governor can subjectively satisfy himself on the need for a floor test.”
To a question about the court’s view that only a political party and not its legislative wing can appoint the whip, the deputy CM from BJP said: “The Speaker will have to decide which is the political party. Our interpretation is that the party belongs to Shinde. Even the Election Commission has recognised it as Shiv Sena.”
Fadnavis said many aspects of the SC verdict favoured the government. “The court has said it cannot reinstate Thackeray as CM and has left the decision on the disqualification petitions to the Speaker,” said Fadnavis.