Maharashtra Government Formation: Here are the top 10 points on this big story:
1) The bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices N.V. Ramana, Sanjeev Khanna and Ashok Bhushan said since oath-taking of the MLAs has not taken place a floor test should be conducted as soon as possible on November 27.
2) The court said it is necessary to pass an interim order for the floor test to determine the majority in Maharashtra, which is essential to uphold democratic values and the citizens' right to good governance.
3) The court observed that even though a month has passed since the declaration of election results in Maharashtra, MLAs have not been administered the oath. The court said the oath to MLAs is to be administered before 5 p.m. on November 27.
4) The court has ordered a pro tem speaker would be appointed and the floor test would not be conducted by secret ballot.
5) SC also directed the live telecast of entire proceedings will be done in Maharashtra assembly.
6) The court observed that there is a need to respect the separation of jurisdictions of the legislature and courts and the latter's intervention should only be as the last resort. Justice Ramana said, "This is one such case."
7) It said that an interim order for conducting floor test is essential to avoid horse-trading and corrupt methods deployed to gain a majority.
8) With the Supreme Court directing Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to ensure floor test in the state Assembly on Wednesday, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said truth cannot be defeated. "Satyamev jayate" (truth shall prevail)," Raut tweeted.
9) Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan said that all three parties (Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena) are satisfied with the Supreme Court order and also said Devendra Fadnavis should resign today.
10) Meanwhile, NCP's Nawab Malik reacted on SC orders and said, "Today's verdict of the SC is a milestone in Indian democracy. Before 5 pm tomorrow, it will be clear that BJP's game is over. In a few days, there will a govt of Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress in Maharashtra."
Earlier, in an unprecedented hearing on Sunday on the brewing political drama in Maharashtra, the Supreme Court had asked the Solicitor General to produce letters of support, used by Fadnavis in staking claim to form the government, on Monday morning at 10.30 a.m. for passing orders. The court had said it will decide on taking the call, prayers in the petition of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP, on immediate floor test after examining the Governor's order inviting Fadnavis to form the government in the state.
Watch | SC orders Floor Test to be held on November 27
Chronology of events in Maharashtra govt formation case
- October 21, 2019: Elections for 14th Legislative Assembly carried out in Maharashtra for 288 seats.
- October 24: Results declared. BJP gets 105 seats, followed by the Shiv Sena which got 56 seats. NCP got 54 seats while the Congress secured 44 seats.
- November 9: Governor invites BJP to indicate willingness to form the government while giving it 48 hours to prove that it has the requisite majority.
- November 10: BJP expresses inability to form government.
- November 10: Shiv Sena asked by Governor to convey its willingness to form government by granting it 24 hours to demonstrate its majority.
- November 11: Shiv Sena stakes claim to form government while submitting that it has the majority support. It also requests for three days time to give the letters of support.
- November 11: Governor declines to accommodate the request for three days and rejects the claim of Shiv Sena to form the government. Governor invites NCP to indicate its willingness and ability to form government.
- November 12: Governor's decision in rejecting Shiv Sena's claim to form the government with requisite support challenged in SC.
- November 12: President's rule imposed in Maharashtra.
- November 13: Shiv Sena does not mention its plea challenging the governor's decision in SC.
- November 22: Combine agrees to name of Uddhav Thackeray as the Chief Minister of the post-poll alliance "Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi".
- November 23: President's rule revoked at 5.47 am on Saturday, Fadnavis sworn in as Maharashtra chief minister, Ajit Pawar as Dy CM.
- November 23: Combine moves SC challenging Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari's decision, seek urgent hearing. SC registry posts the matter for hearing on Sunday.
- November 24: SC asks Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to place before it tomorrow morning letters of Maharashtra Governor recommending revocation of President's rule, issues notice to Centre and others.
- November 25: SC says it will pass an order at 10.30 am on Tuesday on the issue of floor test for the Maharashtra government led by Devendra Fadnavis.
- November 26: SC asks Maha governor to ensure that floor test is held on Nov 27, exercise to be over by 5 pm and entire proceedings has to be live telecast.
(With inputs from agencies)