Maharashtra: BJP’s Fadnavis Set to be CM, Sena Rebel Shinde May be His Deputy

Mumbai: Uddhav Thackeray had lost numbers. He tried hard to win them back. But, failed miserably to win back his own MLAs. He realised there was no point to for a floor test if he can't win his own men back. So, he decided to resign. He resigned after steering an 'experimental' coalition government for two and half years. With the Chief Minister's post, he also resigned as Member of the Legislative Council, telling his party workers that he would be available for them in his party office in Mumbai.  

On Wednesday night, the Supreme Court cleared the way for a floor test after hearing the case for almost three hours. Shiv Sena had gone in court to prevent orders of the Governor to go for a floor test. Earlier, the SC had given relief to 16 rebel MLAs of Shiv Sena from the process of disqualification till July 12. Immediately, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) approached the governor Bhagatsingh Koshiyari and claimed that MVA (Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi) has lost majority in house. The Governor then asked the legislative secretariat to go for a floor test on June 30.  

Shiv Sena whip Sunil Prabhu had approached the SC against this order. But SC rejected his plea and allowed a floor test on June 30. Sena's argument was about the disqualification of MLAs. "As the case of disqualification of MLAs is still pending before SC, the floor test can't happen," argued Sena's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi. But it was rejected.  

As soon as the SC verdict came, CM Thackeray addressed the state in his farewell speech. He said: "Those celebrating today (Sena rebels) for pulling down the chair of the son of Balasaheb Thackeray will have to face the people." He also said that in this time, alliance partners Congress and NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) stayed firm and together but his own people betrayed him. He asked his party workers to not come on street against rebels in Mumbai. "I heard that central agencies are sending their platoons in city. I appeal to Shiv Sainiks to stay calm. Don't come in road. Let them do whatever they want," he said in his speech.  

Before that, in his last cabinet meeting, the MVA decided to change the name of two cities, Aurangabad and Osmanabad to Sambhajinagar and Dharashiv, respectively. This was a contentious issue as Sambhajinagar was seen as demand on the line of Hindutva. It was assumed that Congress would oppose the demand. But on the contrary, Congress supported the move and also made a demand to change the name of Pune city to Jijaunagar. Uddhav Thackeray, in his last speech mentioned it, and said that, "people who were shooting for Hindutva (Sena rebels) were absent from the meeting. Congress and NCP ministers supported it wholeheartedly." 

The MVA came to power on November 28, 2019 in an unprecedented way. Thackeray parted ways from BJP saying that it had not kept its word of sharing of the CM’s post for 2.5 years. He joined hands with Congress and NCP, ideologically almost opposite parties. This was seen as 'political opportunism.' 

During his tenure as CM, Thackeray faced three natural calamities plus the coronavirus pandemic. His work and his style of addressing people regularly during corona won the hearts of people in the state. Even his ideological opponents praised his work. During his term as CM, he also faced a critical spinal cord surgery earlier this year. But he survived well as was active again after those two months.  

Hereafter, it is being said that the new government lead by Devendra Fadnavis will come to power. Sena rebel Eknath Shinde, who is also facing disqualification action, will become his deputy chief minister. His camp would get 16 ministries and 26 will be with BJP. Sources said that the swearing in ceremony of the new government will take place within two to three days.