The Supreme Court has began a special Sunday hearing of the petition filed by the Shiv Sena, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party against the centre’s move to end President’s Rule and the Governor’s move to invite Devendra Fadnavis to form a government. The bench began the hearing at 11.30 am comprising of Justice NV Ramana, Ashok Bhushan, and Sanjiv Khanna.
The Supreme Court said that the plea of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress has to be considered for the early floor test. SC has also issued a notice to all parties and has adjourned the hearing till tomorrow. The Court has also directed the state government to submit the written letter issued by the Governor to invite BJP to form government by tomorrow morning.
Mukul Rohatgi, who is representing the BJP, argued that parties must be given 2 to 3 days to prove majority in the house, However SC rejected the plea and has ordered to produce Governor’s decision and letter of support from both Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar for staking claim to form government by 10.30 am on Monday.
Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, Additional Solicitor-General KM Nataraj, senior counsels and Congress leaders Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Kapil Sibal and Devadatt Kamat were prominently present in the courtroom. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan were present in the court. NCP leader and lawyer Majeed Memon was also present.
Kapil Sibal who was representing Shiv Sena, Congress argued for immediate floor test in Maharashtra. Kapil Sibbal also plead that if BJP has the numbers then let the party prove it by giving a floor test or else we should be given a green signal in forming a Government as we have the majority. He also asked to put forth whatever papers were submitted by the Governor in giving permission to form a government of revoking the Presidents rule in front of the Supreme Court.
Abhishek Manu Singhvi who was representing NCP began making submissions stating, “Obligation of Governor to satisfy himself, based on written documents, bearing signatures and physical verification,”.
The petition was filed challenging Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari’s “arbitrary and malafide actions” for installing a minority BJP government led by Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra without prior information and revoking Presidents rule.
