NEW DELHI : Putting speculations to rest for the moment, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered a floor test on Tuesday, 27 Nov, for Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP govt in Maharashtra to prove its majority.There will be no secret ballot, clarified the top court.
The court was hearing a plea submitted by NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress challenging governor's decision to usher in BJP-led govt in the state.
As per the verdict, the floor test will have to be concluded by 5 pm, and a pro-term speaker will swear in the newly-elected lawmakers.
“Satyamev Jayate(Truth Alone Triumphs)” tweeted NCP leader Nawb Malik in vein with the Maha Vikas Agadhi – the Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena alliance – impression that, the verdict is a win for the combine.
The tricky number game
The BJP which scored 105 seats is 40 short of the majority mark. Ajit, the former legislative leader of the party claims to have passed on consent of all 54 NCP lawmakers towards a BJP coalition.
However, NCP chief Sharad Pawar stepped in to rubbish the claim as hoax meant t to mislead the Governor.Pawar. Ajit had the support of no more than 10-11 MLAs, Pawar senior announced at weekend press conference. Incidentally, the number of "rebel MLAs" who backed Ajit has reduced to four by Sunday, according to reports.
Meanwhile Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP have all their legislators and most independents put up in hotels to prevent “BJP poaching”. The Maha Vikas Agadhi combine hope to unseat the BJP-led govt in the state, that was sworn in suddenly on the morning of 22 Nov, in what is dubbed as “murder of democracy”.
