New Delhi: The Supreme Court is in the midst of hearing petitions of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and the Shinde camp. As the case is being heard by the apex court, Chief Justice of India UU Lalit on Saturday shared a stage with CM Eknath Shinde during an event.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies on Sunday took a dim view of this, with State NCP president Jayant Patil calling it "not as per protocol".
State NCP president Jayant Patil, whose party is a constituent of the MVA along with the Sena and Congress, tweeted in Marathi, "A serious case of challenging the legitimacy of the Eknath Shinde government is being heard by a Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court." "In such a case, it is improper that Shinde shares stage with the Chief Justice of India. This is not as per protocol."
CJI Lalit was felicitated at an event in Mumbai where Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju was present.
Shinde during the event said it was a proud moment for the state that its "son" became the Chief Justice of India.
Posting pictures of Saturday's event, Congress spokesman Sachin Sawant tweeted, "When legitimacy and legality of the Shinde-Fadnavis government is being examined by Hon'ble SC itself and not only the current state government but also the man heading it can be disqualified, the dais looks rather incongruous."
Shiv Sena spokesperson Arvind Sawant claimed nothing was happening these days as per norms, rules, and law.
"This is the reason we say democracy is in danger," he added.
In June, Shinde revolted against the Thackeray-led MVA government leading to its collapse, after which Shinde was sworn in as the CM on June 30 along with BJP's Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy.
The Supreme Court recently referred to a five-judge bench the petitions filed by the Shiv Sena and CM Eknath Shinde factions raising several constitutional questions related to defection, merger, and disqualification.
(With agency inputs)