Amid COVID-19 Crisis, BJP Attempts to Destabilise Maharashtra Govt?

Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray was sworn in as the chief minister of Maharashtra on November 28, 2019. At the time, he was not a member of any of the legislative houses, assembly or council, in the state. So, he had to become a member by May 28, 2020--within the time limit of six months.

Thackeray could have become a member of the legislative council in April itself when an election for some of the council seats was supposed to be conducted. But as COVID-19 pandemic gripped the nation and lockdown was announced, the Election Commission postponed the council elections until further notice.

However, to ensure that Thackeray becomes a member within the stipulated time limit, Maharashtra state Cabinet, under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, recommended his name for one of the two vacant seats of Governor-nominated members in the council on April 10. But even after 10 days have passed, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has not taken any action.

On the other hand, Bharatiya Janata Party state Chief Chandrakant Patil has told a Marathi news channel that the appointment of Uddhav as an MLC from the governor quota 'could be contentious' and 'not as per the Constitution'. This has given rise to apprehensions about BJP’s intenton, especially considering Koshyari’s ties with the BJP.

On Sunday morning, Shiv Sena RS MP Sanjay Raut tweeted: "Raj bhavan, governor's house shouldn't become center for political conspiracy. Remember! history doesn't spare those who behave unconstitutionally." Nationalist Congress Party's state president Jayant Patil also said to the press, "Some people who lost power recently are sulking and are frustrated. They are trying to disturb the government. But let me tell them that our government is safe and we will continue not for these five but next 15 years."

Sources in the government told NewsClick that this week, they will request Governor Koshyari to make a decision. "If he does not take a decision, then we will work out our plan. We don't want to keep it hanging till the end," said a senior NCP leader.

The recommendation made by the state Cabinet has also been challenged by a BJP member from Pune. In his petition to the Bombay High Court, the activist has claimed that the deputy CM has no right to hold a Cabinet meeting.

In this backdrop, the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government has sent a dossier of precedents to the governor. "In 2000, when the Congress and NCP government had come to power, they wanted to adjust one person named Gangadhar Gade. This Gangadhar Gade was made a minister in the 1999 government led by Congress, but he had no constituency. So, there was one MLC appointed by Governor Vinayak Mete. Congress and NCP leaders requested him to resign and also requested the governor to appoint Gade in his place. Similar was the case of Datta Meghe also," said a senior Congress leader privy to the developments. Interestingly, Vinayak Mete and Datta Meghe both are now members of the BJP. In Uttar Pradesh, in 1961, Chandrabhan Gupta was made a CM and also a governor-appointed MLC. His appointment was challenged on the basis that he was not “qualified enough” to be an MLC under the Governor quota. But Allahabad High Court had rejected this petition.

Meanwhile, NCP's state spokesperson Sanjay Tatkare has requested the governor and the Election Commission to consider extending the time period for Thackeray to be elected by 40 days. "As the lockdown has been in place from March 24 and will continue till May 3, in these 40 days, no work has been done, unless urgent. Council elections have also been postponed. So looking at this unprecedented situation, Thackeray should get an extension of 40 days," said Tatkare while speaking to NewsClick.

Sources also informed NewsClick that Advocate General of Maharashtra Ashutosh Kumbhakoni has been asked by the Governor's house to give his opinion, which is expected by Wednesday. So, the state government will then make a request to Governor Koshyari to nominate Thackeray as an MLC.

Governors can nominate people who are experts in social services, arts, journalism, etc. for the MLC posts. Tackeray’s qualifications can not be cited as a hindrance as he has been active in politics for almost 25 years and has been running his party for almost 20 years. He is also a known wildlife photographer and also was the chief editor of Samana, Shiv Sena's mouthpiece.

Meanwhile, with 4200 cases, Maharashtra continues to be the state with the highest number of COVID-19 infections. Against this backdrop, the state needs political stability. So, many are wondering, even during an international health emergency, is BJP trying to destabilise the Maharashtra government like it did in Madhya Pradesh?

Also read: Maharashtra Govt Asks Sugar Factories to Transport 1,31,000 Migrant Workers Back Home