SC judgment will decide whether democracy exists in country, says MVA; Shiv Sena asserts its camp not nervous

The judgment will decide the fate of the Sena-BJP government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra’s political parties, leaders and trouble-shooters are keeping their fingers crossed as nearly 11 months into the June-2022 split in the Balasaheb Thackeray-founded Shiv Sena and the toppling of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government, the Supreme Court is set to decide the fate of the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government.

Among other things, Shinde and 15 Shiv Sena MLAs face disqualification proceedings - the legality of which would be decided by the apex court.

Political observers said that there would be twists and turns over the next few days in the state.

Read | Eknath Shinde will continue to be CM, will contest next elections under him: Fadnavis

Both the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance and the MVA anti-BJP coalition comprising Sharad Pawar-led NCP, Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Thackeray, expressed hope for a favourable verdict and not to get into speculations.

Of the 56 Shiv Sena MLAs elected in 2019 Vidhan Sabha polls, 40 are with Shinde, which has been legitimised as the real Shiv Sena and allotted the bow and arrow symbol by the Election Commission, while rest 16 including Uddhav’s son Aaditya Thackeray rare with the Shiv Sena (UBT).

Shinde, who is among those facing disqualification, refused to comment. “Lets speak tomorrow,” he said. However, Fadnavis, who is one of the key persons behind the toppling of the MVA dispensation, said that the new government in place is safe.

“We are not worried…do you see that I am worried…whether the matter is decided by the Supreme Court or the ball is put in the Speaker's court, we are not worried,” said Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat, who is close to Shinde and is the party’s spokesperson.

“Lets not speculate, let’s not contemplate,” said Speaker Rahul Narvekar, who is headed for a brief London visit.

Read | Nitish, Tejashwi to sit with Uddhav and Sharad Pawar in separate meetings on May 11

On the other hand, Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal, who was the then-Interim Speaker, said that the notice of the disqualification proceedings was as per law.

“I have done my job properly as per law and conventions,” he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut said: “It will be decided tomorrow whether democracy is alive or not…it would be denied whether the judiciary runs under the Constitution or not whether it works are pressure or not…we want that Indian runs as per Constitution…see the condition of Pakistan which does not runs by the Constitution.”

NCP chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said that the judgement is going to be very important for the democracy of India. “Over the next 30 to 40 years, the governments would look at this judgement…I am sure it would strengthen democracy and the Constitution,’ he added.

Senior Congressman and former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said that the arguments were extensive and respective versions have been put forward. “We are hopeful,” he said.