We are 162, say NCP, Sena, Cong in Maha power parade
KEY VERDICT TODAY Top court to rule on Opposition parties petition for an early floor test
MUMBAI/NEWDELHI: The Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress claimed to have the numbers to form the government in Maharashtra in an unprecedented show of strength on Saturday evening, a day before the Supreme Court pronounces its order on holding a floor test that will decide the fate of the two-day-old BJP-led administration.
Legislators from the three opposition parties publicly pledged their support to their Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi combine at a Mumbai hotel as senior leaders claimed the support of 162 MLAs, well above the halfway mark of 145 in the 288-member assembly. As former CM Ashok Chavan, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP strongman Sharad Pawar sat together in the front row to showcase their new coalition, giant banners of “We are 162” were visible in the background.
“There will not be any problem in proving our majority… On the day of the floor test, I will bring more than 162 MLAs. This is not Goa, this is Maharashtra,” said NCP chief Sharad Pawar, referring to a situation in 2017 when the BJP was able to cobble together a majority despite finishing second to the Congress in the assembly elections.
He also attacked dissident leader and nephew Ajit Pawar, who stunned the party by backing BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis in an early morning swearing-in on
Saturday. The BJP had claimed that Ajit Pawar, who was the NCP legislature party chief at the time of the swearing-in, could issue a whip and make MLAs vote in favour of the administration. But Pawar disagreed.
“His decision to support the BJP was against the party’s policy. The person was removed from the post. He can’t take any decision on our behalf, can’t issue any orders… I am willing to take personal responsibility for this,” Pawar told the legislators.
Senior Sena MP Sanjay Raut “invited” governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari as his party chief, Uddhav Thackeray, dared his opponents to stop the three parties from assuming power. “Try blocking our road and you will come to know what we will do. You have seen Shiv Sena as an ally but not as your opponent,” he said, adding that the coalition was not just for three years but long term.
Earlier in the day, leaders from the three parties went to Raj Bhavan and handed over a letter claiming the support of 162 MLAs. “Devendra Fadnavis does not have the majority and would not be able to prove it on the floor of the house. Once his government fails to prove the majority, we the alliance, led by Shiv Sena, should be given an opportunity to form the government,” the letter said.
The BJP dismissed the Opposition’s claims and said an identification parade was an insult of not just the MLAs but the people electing them.
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari’s decision to swear-in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister (CM) on Saturday has raised political and constitutional questions. On Friday, the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress appeared to be close to a power-sharing deal. But, all of a sudden, Mr Koshiyari appointed Mr Fadnavis as CM, and Ajit Pawar, the NCP’s legislative party leader then, as deputy CM.
Both sides have their contending narratives, presented in the Supreme Court on Sunday and Monday. Those who support the governor’s actions claim that Mr Fadnavis staked claim; Ajit Pawar offered a letter of support with signatures of all 54 NCP legislators; the governor then suggested the revocation of President’s rule and appointed a government. Those critical of the governor’s actions claim that it was clear that NCP was with the Sena; that the governor did not do due diligence on the letter provided by Ajit Pawar, for the signature of the legislators was for a different purpose; and the urgency with which both President’s rule was revoked and the government sworn in made it clear that Mr Koshiyari was acting on behalf of the BJP.
On balance, the governor’s actions create room for doubt, especially on issues of due process and the haste with which he acted. The core issue now is whether Mr Fadnavis has a majority, or whether the majority of NCP legislators are with Sharad Pawar. This is best judged on the floor of the House. The SC should have given instructions for a floor test on Sunday itself, but has now put off the matter till Tuesday. Any more delay will further delegitimise the constitutional process. A vote in the assembly is best for all parties, including the BJP, whose actions are currently being seen as ethically questionable. If Mr Fadnavis wins, and NCP MLAs stay with Ajit Pawar, the government will have legitimacy. If the CM loses, the governor must make amends and provide the Opposition alliance an opportunity to prove its strength immediately.