Maha political twist: SC rejects BJP plea for more time, asks SG to produce letters of support, Guv letter

In an unprecedented hearing on Sunday on the brewing political drama in Maharashtra, the Supreme Court has asked the Solicitor General to produce two documents: the letter by the Governor inviting the BJP to form the government, and the letter of support of Devendra Fadnavis, who was appointed Chief Minister of Maharashtra yesterday on Monday morning at 10.30 a.m. for passing orders.

The Supreme Court rejected the objections by Centre and BJP on the maintainability of Shiv Sena petition. The Supreme Court also rejected their request for more time. The Governor’s actions have thus come under scrutiny.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the central government is authorised to request the documents from the Governor.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing a few BJP MLAs and two independent MLAs, submitted before the bench that the petitioners were sleeping for 19 days, and now they have moved the apex court seeking a floor test to be conducted today itself.

"I will bring out all the facts, for this, I need two or three days," said Rohtagi.

Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi represented the alliance parties. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared for BJP MLAs and independents.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Congress and NCP, said either the court should order composite floor test or the BJP should be asked to prove their majority, and let this process be done on Sunday or Monday.

Citing cases of Karnataka, Goa and Uttarakhand, Both Singhvi and Sibal urged the Court to order a floor test to prove majority in the state.

"We are saying if they have majority, let them prove it. If they don't, allow us to form the government,” Sibal said

Sibal also questioned the actions of the Governor in inviting Devendra Fadnavis to form the government in Maharashtra.

"It appears that the Governor is acting directly under the orders of a political party. The act of the Governor smacks of bias, is malafide, contrary to all norms."

Singhvi further argued, "How can Ajit Pawar be Deputy CM when 41 NCP MLAs have said that 'we are with NCP and we don't recognise him as NCP leader anymore'."

The court will conduct further hearing on the matter at 10.30 a.m. on November 25. A bench headed by Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan and Sanjeev Khanna said the court will on Monday decide on taking the call, prayers in the petition of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP, on immediate floor test after examining the Governor's order inviting Fadnavis to form the government in the state.

With IANS iputs