Shinde government to continue in Maharashtra even after the judgement of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has pronounced its verdict in the case of Uddhav Thackeray vs Eknath Shinde in Maharashtra. Following the judgement, Eknath Shinde government in Maharashtra, looks out of any danger. But the Supreme Court has not given its verdict on the disqualification of 16 MLAs including Eknath Shinde and said that the matter needs further consideration before deciding eiher side. Besides, citing the Nabam Rabia case, the court has referred it to a larger bench of 7 judges for consideration. The apex court has raised the questions about the decision and role of the Governor.

The Supreme Court deied to give any relief to Uddhav Thackeray. The court referred to Uddhav Thackeray’s resignation as the chief minister, and said relief could have been provided had Uddhav not resigned and faced the floor test. The Supreme Court said it cannot order the restoration of Uddhav Thackeray’s government as he resigned without facing a floor test.

In a unanimous verdict, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud held that the then Speaker’s decision to appoint Bharat Gogawale of the Shinde faction as the whip of the Shiv Sena in the Maharashtra Assembly was “contrary to law”. The court also pulled up former Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and said he did not have reasons based on objective material before him to arrive at the conclusion that then chief minister Thackeray had lost the confidence of the House.

Commenting on the verdict, Uddhav Thackeray said, “Eknath Shinde won after murdering democracy. He should resign as Chief Minister, as I did.” Sanjay Raut, his top aide, called it a “moral victory”.