New Delhi: The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Centre and Maharashtra government on a petition filed by the Shiv Sena-NCP-Cong combine against the Maharashtra Governor’s decision to swear in Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister.
A bench of Justices NV Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna also issued notices to Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The bench also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to produce letters of the Governor tomorrow at 10.30am for passing orders.
SC issued notices to Maharashtra government and the Centre on Sena-NCP-Congress petition seeking composite floor test while challenging invitation to Fadnavis to form the government.
Kapil Sibal, representing Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP, told SC that Devendra Fadnavis must take the floor test immediately arguing that any delay in doing so will increase the chances of horse-trading in the state.
The Supreme Court on Sunday began hearing the petition of the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress against Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s decision to invite the Bharatiya Janata Party to form the government in Maharashtra early on Saturday.
The proceedings began around 11.30 am after an urgent hearing was sought on Saturday night. The plea asked for a floor test to be conducted within 24 hours to prevent further horse-trading.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in early on Saturday after a breakaway faction of the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, supported the BJP. It came as a shock to the Sena, Congress and the NCP, which were gearing up to stake claim to form the government. Pawar took oath as the deputy chief minister on the same day.
