Uddhav Vs Shinde : MVA’s conspiracy defeated : Devendra Fadnavis

India’s Supreme Court has delivered a ruling on a case related to the rift within the Shiv Sena party, which led to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra in July 2022. A Constitution bench of the Supreme Court heard a set of petitions concerning the case, and the verdict was announced on May 11, 2023. The bench consisted of Justices MR Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli, and PS Narasimha.

The ruling referred to a 2016 Nabam Rebia five-judge verdict and stated that the power of the Speaker to disqualify MLAs needed examination, including whether the motion for Speaker’s removal would restrict this power. The bench also examined the decision of the Maharashtra Speaker to appoint Bharat Gogawale of the Eknath Shinde faction as the whip of the Shiv Sena party and declared it illegal.

The court held that the Speaker was aware of the emergence of two factions in the legislative party on July 3, 2022, when he appointed a new whip but did not attempt to identify the authorized whip of the party. The Chief Justice of India further stated that the Speaker must acknowledge only the whip designated by the political party.

Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed complete satisfaction over SCs verdict. 

The ruling emphasized the importance of recognizing the authorized whip of a political party, which plays a crucial role in voting and deciding whether to support or oppose the government. The decision further stated that the appointment of an unauthorized whip can cause political chaos and instability.

The case was heard by a five-judge Constitution Bench starting in February 2023, and the verdict was keenly anticipated by all parties involved. The Shiv Sena party was founded in 1966 and is a major political force in Maharashtra, with a significant presence in the state assembly and parliament. The verdict is expected to have significant political repercussions in Maharashtra and may impact the future of the Shiv Sena party.

In conclusion, the Supreme Court ruling on the case related to the Shiv Sena party rift underscores the critical role of an authorized whip in political parties. The verdict emphasizes the importance of following established procedures in political parties and preventing unauthorized appointments that can lead to instability.