Here's how Maharashtra political crisis unfolded
Process for change of regime in Maharashtra began with rebellion of several Shiv Sena MLAs under Eknath Shinde's leadership
The process for the change of regime in Maharashtra began with the rebellion of around 40 of 55 Shiv Sena MLAs under Eknath Shinde's leadership last week. They camped in Gujarat's Surat immediately after the Maharashtra MLC election results and then stayed in Assam's Guwahati for several days to decide their strategy.
Eknath Shinde-led camp got boost after Devendra Fadnavis met Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari
The Eknath Shinde-led camp got a boost after BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis met Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Tuesday (June 28). Fadnavis had asked Koshyari to order a floor test of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, claiming it had lost the majority.
Maharashtra Governor calls for a special session of Assembly to hold a floor test of Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA govt
Amid the rebellion in the Shiv Sena by senior minister Eknath Shinde and other MLAs, Koshyari on Wednesday then called for a special session of the Assembly on June 30 to hold a floor test of the Uddhav Thackeray government.
In a letter dated June 28, Koshyari had written to Maharashtra Legislature's Principal Secretary and said, "A special session of the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha (legislative Assembly) shall be summoned on June 30 (Thursday) at 11 am with the only agenda of a trust vote against the chief minister, and the proceedings shall be concluded in any case by 5 pm."
Sanjay Raut terms Maharashtra Governor's order for a floor test as 'unlawful', MVA moves SC
Subsequently, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut termed the Maharashtra Governor's order for a floor test as "unlawful" and the Maha Vikas Aghadi, the coalition of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, then approached the Supreme Court against the floor test.
Floor of house only way to settle these issues of democracy, observed Supreme Court
While hearing Shiv Sena chief whip Sunil Prabhu's plea against Maharashtra Governor's direction to the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government to take a floor test in the Assembly on Thursday, the Supreme Court observed that the floor of the House is the only way to settle these issues of democracy. A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and J B Pardiwala also asked senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Prabhu, how can floor test impacts the disqualification process or interfere with the powers of the speaker to conduct disqualification proceeding.
"Our understanding is that floor of the house is the only way to settle these issues of democracy," the bench observed.
Singhvi told the apex court that people who have changed sides do not reflect the will of the people and heavens won't fall if the floor test is not held tomorrow (Thursday). He argued that the court must not allow a floor test to be held till the deputy speaker decides on the disqualification petition against some rebel MLAs.
Uddhav Thackeray quits as Maharashtra CM
Minutes after the Supreme Court refused to stay Maharashtra Governor's direction to MVA government to take a floor test in the Assembly, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said he was resigning from his post and tendered his resignation to the Governor around 11:45 PM. Stating that he was not interested "in playing the numbers' game," Thackeray also said in a webcast that he is quitting as a member of the Legislative Council.
He had no regret leaving his post, Thackeray, 62, said.
"Let the rebels who grew politically because of Shiv Sena and Balasaheb Thackeray get joy and satisfaction of pulling down his son from the post of chief minister," Uddhav Thackeray said. "I don't want to get into the numbers' game. It would be shameful for me to see if even one of my own party colleagues stands against me," he said.
He also thanked Congress president Sonia Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar for their cooperation and support while running the MVA government.
"Congress leader Ashok Chavan told me that if the rebels want, Congress would get out of the government and extend outside support. Those who were expected to ditch me, stood by me while my own left me," he said.
Referring to the rebels, he said, "What were your problems? Instead of going to Surat and Guwahati, you could have come to me directly and expressed your views. " Shiv Sena is a party of the common man and has faced several challenges successfully, Uddhav Thackeray said, adding he would rebuild the party.
All eyes are now on Raj Bhavan to see when does Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari invite the BJP to form the next government in the state.