The Supreme Court (SC,) on the 26th of November, reviewed a petition filed by the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Indian National Congress (INC.)
The Shiv Sena, the NCP and the INC filed a case against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP,) claiming the Party formed the State Government without having the required majority.
On the 25th of November, the SC asked the BJP to present the letter written to the Governor of Maharashtra for forming the Government. The Court also asked the Governor to submit the letter written by him, inviting the BJP to form the Government.
On the 26th of November, the SC continued the hearing and ordered a floor test be conducted on the 27th of November. The bench of judges said in such a situation, horse trading is possible and in order to avoid that, the floor test should take place immediately. The SC also asked the Maharashtra Governor to appoint a Protem Speaker who would conduct the floor test.
The bench of judges said the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) would take the oath of office ahead of the floor test scheduled at 5:00 P.M., on the 27th of November.
Nawab Malik, a leader of the NCP, said, “Today’s verdict of the Supreme Court is a milestone in Indian democracy. Before 5 P.M., tomorrow, it will be clear that BJP’s game is over. In a few days, there will (be) a government of Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress in Maharashtra.”
Malik took to Twitter and posted, “Satyamev Jayate, the BJP’s game over.”
While the NCP, the INC and the Shiv Sena are confident about winning the floor test, the BJP also believes it has high chances of winning and coming to power for a second term.
The Secretary of the Vidhan Sabha submitted names of the three seniormost leaders for the Protem Speaker post.
The three names, in chronological order of their seniority, are:
Balasaheb Thorat (INC)
K.C. Padavi (INC)
Kalidas Kolambkar (BJP.)
The Governor would select the Protem Speaker by the end of the day, who would then administer the oath to the MLAs and later, conduct the floor test.
The floor test would decide whether the INC-NCP-Shiv Sena alliance or the BJP would form the State Government in Maharashtra.
The INC, the Shiv Sena and the NCP expressed happiness about the verdict of the SC and are confident about winning the floor test with a majority.
