SC to pronounce judgement on Maharashtra government formation tomorrow at 10:30 AM

Supreme Court on Monday announced that it will be pronouncing the decision on Maharashtra government formation tomorrow at 10:30 in the morning. 

Supreme Court is hearing the joint plea filed by Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena against the Maharashtra government’s decision to swear-in Devendra Fadnavis as the Chief Minister. 

The combine petition filed by the three parties insisted that the floor test should be ordered within 24-hours which was opposed by the other party (Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar). 

Appearing for Shiv Sena, Kapil Sibal said that the three parties have affidavits from 154 Maharashtra MLAs and the BJP should be asked to prove its majority within 24 hours if it has the numbers. 

The petition was being heard by a bench comprising justices NV Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna. The Centre told the bench that the Maharashtra Governor on November 23 had invited the largest party to form government in absolute discretion. 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that the Governor is not supposed to conduct an inquiry to make sure which party has the numbers to form the government.

The Governor was cognizant of facts and the situation after poll results that had led to invoking of the President’s rule in Maharashtra,” informed Mehta to the apex court.

After pursuing the letter of Maharashtra Governor inviting Fadnavis to form the government, the SC said that it has not to be decided whether the Chief Minister enjoys majority support on the floor of the house. 

On the other hand, Kapil Sibal questioned the urgency to revoke President’s rule at 5:27 AM and administering the oath at 8:00 in the morning on November 23. 

Also Read - Maharashtra Power Tussle: NCP, Shiv Sena, And Congress Stake Claim To Form Government

Senior Advocate Abhishek Singhvi appeared for the NCP and the Congress while terming the political development as “fraud”. 

Singhvi and Sibal sought immediate floor test in Maharashtra while Mukul Rohtagi - representing the BJP - said that the parties are seeking direction to Governor who is immune to act as per their wishes.

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