Maharashtra Crisis: Uddhav Thackeray resigns, happy BJP preps next move, rebels arrive in Goa | Latest updates

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray tendered the resignation of his post to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan Mumbai. The Governor accepted the resignation and asked Shri Thackeray to officiate as Chief Minister until alternate arrangements are made.

Devendra Fadnavis returned to 'Sagar' Bungalow after meeting BJP MLAs in Hotel Taj President.

BJP MLAs have been asked to stay in Mumbai for the next 3 to 4 days. Eknath Shinde and his fellow MLAs will be awaited.

Fadnavis will hold discussions with senior BJP leaders and then stake claim to form the government.

The leader of the legislature party is the same, his name will be a formality.

The swearing-in is expected to take place in the first week of July.

In today's meeting, Fadnavis advised the BJP MLAs to take care that there is no hysteria of the victory.

Uddhav Thackeray reaches Raj Bhavan to submit his resignation as Maharashtra CM to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

Those (rebel Shiv Sena MLAs) who were reaching Mumbai tomorrow, I urge them not to come tomorrow, they should come on the day of oath-taking, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil said.

We will tell you everything tomorrow, says BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on political developments in Maharashtra after Uddhav Thackeray resigned from Chief Minister's post.

Uddhav Thackeray leaves from his residence Matoshree as he heads towards Raj Bhavan to submit his resignation as Maharashtra CM to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. 

Shiv Sena leaders Neelam Gorhe, Vinayak Raut and Milind Narvekar arrive at Raj Bhavan. Uddhav Thackeray announced his resignation as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra earlier tonight.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray resigned very politely. We have lost a sensitive, decent Chief Minister. History is witness that cheating doesn't end well. Thackeray wins. This is the beginning of a grand victory for Shiv Sena. Will eat sticks, go to jail, but Balasaheb That will keep Shiv Sena flaming, tweeted Sanjay Raut.

"I have special satisfaction. I feel that life has become meaningful. Today we have given the name 'Sambhajinagar' given to Aurangabad by Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray himself," tweeted Office of Uddhav Thackeray.

Shiv Sena leader Milind Narvekar and Neelam Gorhe have reached Raj Bhavan in Mumbai. Uddhav Thackeray will also soon reach Raj Bhavan to tender his resignation as Maharashtra CM to the governor.

Uddhav Thackeray will soon leave for Raj Bhavan to hand over his resignation to governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari.

Taking a dig at Uddhav Thackeray, BJP I-T cell chief Amit Malviya said, "Balasaheb Thackeray was a man who could control governments, despite not being in power. On the other hand, his son couldn’t even control his party, despite being in power. What a fall from grace!"

"Uddhav Thackeray has not just lost his chief ministership but also tarnished the legacy of Balasaheb by entering into an unprincipled alliance with the NCP and Congress. But MVA’s collapse is a bigger loss of face for Sharad Pawar, who fancied himself as the architect of this alliance," Amit Malviya tweeted.

Thank you for your leadership, Shri Uddhav Thackeray. You took up the difficult task of leading a new alliance, helped the state navigate through pandemic, ensured the fire of communal hate didn’t singe our state, kept the interest of state & its people above all without prejudice, said Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi.

Visuals: BJP leaders at a hotel in Mumbai during a legislative meeting cheering slogans in favour of Former CM & BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis after Uddhav Thackeray resigned as Maharashtra Chief Minister.

"I had come (to power) in an unexpected manner and I am going out in a similar fashion. I am not going away forever, I will be here, and I will once again sit in Shiv Sena Bhawan. I will gather all my people. I am resigning as the CM & as an MLC," Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray said.

"I am resigning as the Chief Minister," said Uddhav Thackeray in Facebook LIVE address. 

Uddhav resigned as Chief Minister after the Supreme Court refused to stay tomorrow's floor test.

Speaking after Supreme Court setback, Uddhav Thackeray in a Facebook LIVE said, "I want to express my gratitude to the people of NCP and Congress that they supported me. From Shiv Sena, Anil Parab, Subhash Desai and Aaditya Thackeray, these people were only present when the proposal was passed while NCP & Cong people also supported the proposal."

"I am satisfied that we have officially renamed Aurangabad to Sambhaji Nagar and Osmanabad to Dharashiv - the cities named by Balasaheb Thackeray," he said.

After losing the case in Supreme Court which ordered the MVA government to face a floor test tomorrow, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will make a statement on the current government crisis and may also resign as CM.

Supreme Court has allowed jailed MLAs Nawab Malik and Anil Deshmukh to participate in the floor test in the Special Session of Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha tomorrow. Since they are in judicial custody in cases registered by ED/CBI, both the agencies are directed to escort them.

Supreme Court has also issued notice on Shiv Sena Chief Whip Sunil Prabhu's plea and said that tomorrow's floor test will be subject to the outcome of the present petition. The court will hear his plea on July 11.

Supreme Court gives go-ahead to the floor test in the Maharashtra Assembly tomorrow, says we are not staying tomorrow's floor test.

Supreme Court has reserved the order on plea filed by Shiv Sena chief whip Sunil Prabhu challenging Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's direction to CM Uddhav Thackeray to prove his majority support on the floor of the House on June 30th.

The apex court will deliver verdict at 9 PM today. 

"Has the Governor attempted to verify? Two days before he comes to Raj Bhavan, meets the Leader of Opposition yesterday and issues the order today. But the Speaker is to be always a suspect," asks Singhvi.

"Governors are not angles. They are humans. It is why we have Bommai decision. Governor does not address the issue of sub-judice. He does not verify. He does not call the CM for his view. I am not saying he is bound. But he does not call," Singhvi added. 

Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi continues. He said, "...a caricature is made out of my arguments. There has never been a single case where the hands of the Speaker were tied."

"When my left hand is tied from the 10th schedule, and the right hand is asked to do floor test, the argument cannot be that the floor test is essential to democracy," he added.

"Nabam Rebia is decided that in that case, the Speaker cannot decide. If Nabam Rabia allows, their writ stands allowed on the first day. Nabam specifically notes at para 167 that it is not a case of Floor Test, yet it is cited again and again in a floor test case," he said.

"The questions that we raised was that motion for removal of Speaker under Article 179 can be moved only when assembly is in session. The second thing, Article 179 uses "removal". So there has to be a charge against Speaker. No single charge is mentioned in that letter," he mentioned.

A high layer of security is being placed in Mumbai ahead of the expected floor test on Thursday.

• DCP & Senior Officer - 20
• ACP Rank - 45
• Police Inspector - 225
• Assistant Police Inspector/PSI - 725
• Male Police personnel - 2500
• Female Police - 1250
• SRPF - 10 Companies
• Additional Force - 750

After arguments from the counsels of MVA govt and Shinde faction, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta is now putting forth his view point on behalf of the Governor.

He said, "Your lordship asked if the office of the Speaker can be misused when the Govt loses majority. One can always ask some member to present disqualification petition and I as a Speaker can decide the electoral college. So I will be deciding who will be voting on removal."

"The Speaker cannot decide his voters list. Speaker cannot decide his electoral college," Mehta said.

"Your lordship's question to the petitioner was that are you disputing 39 MLAs your majority. They said they have no means to verify. Truth comes up..."

Several Shiv Sena workers were seen celebrating on Wednesday after the announcement that Aurangabad will be renamed Sambhaji Nagar. Former Sena MLA Chandrakant Khaire was also present.

Senior advocate Maninder Singh submitted in Supreme Court that the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs led by dissident leader Eknath Shinde, has the support of 39 MLAs, but Shiv Sena only has 16 MLAs.

This unfolding situation requires a floor test and Governor in his discretion has decided to hold it, senior advocate Neeraj Kaul, representing Eknath Shinde tells Supreme Court.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray who held a cabinet meeting today said that all 3 parties came together & did good work in 2.5 years. He expressed his gratitude to all parties. Tomorrow, a vote of confidence will take place & it will be decided if it's the end or not.

Thackeray further said that he received the support of Congress and NCP but unfortunately he didn't get the support of his own party's (Shiv Sena) people.

Senior Advocate Neeraj Kaul further said, "I have seen everyone keen to take the floor test. I have seldom seen a party so afraid to conduct a floor test."

"Normally parties rush to Court to say hold the floor test because someone else is hijacking the party. Here, the opposite is sought, the party wants no floor test. Where does the natural dance of democracy take place?"

My learned friend wants both to be co-related. There cannot be co-relation. Shivraj Singh decision was sought to be distinguished, but it was a case of resignation.

They are in a hopeless minority within the party itself, forget the house, Kaul added.

Can there be a better place in a democracy to determine who is supporting the govt than the floor of the house, asked Kaul.

"The continuous existence of that confidence is crucial to the legitimacy and hence survival of the government. It is a matter which can brook no delay," Kaul quotes Shivraj Singh.

"The holding of a trust vote operates in a distinct field from the issue as to whether one or more members of the Legislative Assembly have embarked upon a voluntary act of resignation or have incurred the wrath of 10th Schedule," Kaul quoted from Shivraj Singh decision.

"It is inevitable that the specific timing of a trust vote may tilt the balance towards the party possessing a majority at the time the trust vote is directed. This is how the system of parliamentary governance operates" Kaul again quoted from the Shivraj Singh Chauhan decision.

"It is with a view to obviate illegitimate and unseemly political bargaining in the quest for political power that this Court has consistently insisted upon the convening of a trust vote at the earliest date" Kaul quoted from Shivraj Singh Chauhan decision.

Kaul says that in Shivraj Singh Chouhan case, the Court rejected the argument that the observations in Nabam Rebia is obiter.

He referred to Shivraj Singh Chouhan's case where Supreme Court in 2020 ordered floor test in MP Assembly.

They (Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena) are in a “hopeless minority” within the party itself, forget the House, Shinde’s counsel to SC.

Kaul said that the Supreme Court says disqualification proceedings have no bearing. Floor test is the healthiest thing that can happen in a democracy. SC says the moment a Chief Minister shows reluctance, it prima facie gives the view that he has lost the confidence of the House.

Senior Advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul representing Eknath Shinde referred to Nabam Rebia decision to say until Speaker's removal is decided, disqualification cannot be decided.

First and foremost it is to be decided if the Speaker has to be removed or not.

It is well settled that a floor test should not be delayed. Merely because of pendency of proceedings relating to whether MLA has resigned or 10th schedule is no ground to interdict floor test. Supreme Court has held both are distinct issues, he said.

The slightly different argument by the other side is that the proceedings are not voluntarily kept pending by the Speaker but are stopped because of orders of the Supreme Court, he mentioned.

"I will respond to your lordship's pertinent observation. When we came to court, an overwhelming majority was with us. We also write to Speaker that you don't enjoy the majority of the house. On 24th Speaker gives us disqualification notice. In this background we came here, Kaul said.

"It is not as if your lordships are interfering with the proceedings. My principal argument was that Speaker has no authority. That is settled by the Constitution Bench judgment."

Listening to Kaul's arguments, Justice Kant said, "This argument suggests that first of all we should determine the competence of Speaker."

Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi continued and said, "The point of the matter, however, is that nothing prevents the Speaker from taking a decision either on matters of resignation or disqualification despite convening of a trust vote. That the Speaker has not yet done so, is not a ground to defer the convening of a trust vote".

In this case, today the hands of the Speaker are tied, he said.

Justice can be done either if the fetter on the Speaker is lifted or if the floor test is deferred, Singhvi concluded.

Maharashtra state cabinet approves the renaming of Aurangabad to Sambhaji Nagar and Osmanabad to Dharashiv. Navi Mumbai Airport's name will be changed to DB Patil International Airport.

Amid reports of Eknath Shinde group arriving in Mumbai tomorrow, Mumbai Police is on alert.

Notices sent to NCP, Shiv Sena, Congress, BJP, SP leaders asking them to not give instigating statements or release objectionble posts. Stringent action if situation deteriorates, said Mumbai Police.

In the Maharashtra state cabinet meeting, Congress ministers demanded that Pune City be renamed Jijau Nagar.

Arguments continue in the Supreme Court. Adv Singhvi said, "Unlike the Madhya Pradesh case, Speaker is not a free agent now as your lordships have stopped him."

"I am reading this because my learned friends will cite this case to say that floor test can be held even when disqualification proceedings are pending. But the significant difference is that in this case, the Court has interdicted the proceedings."

"In that case (MP case), Speaker had not decided and was dilly-dallying, there was no court interdiction. I had argued that till the time disqualifications are decided, floor test must not be held. This Court held floor test can be held," Singhvi said.

"It was a case where artificial majority was created by engineering resignations. After resigning, govt falls, and you become a minister in a new govt as a reward for resignation and in 6 months you get re-elected," he added.

"In Rawat, Uttarakhand case, see para 17, there was a submission that disqualified persons should be allowed to vote. It was a case of floor test where disqualification was decided." 

"The personal immunity from answerability under Art 361 does not bar the examiniation of malafides," counsel representing MVA govt said."

"All the other cases are of simple floor test. There is no intersection with disqualification. Those were simple cases with no imminent disqualification. Now, in Rawat case (Uttarakhand), note para 17..." he mentioned. 

The Supreme Court which is hearing arguments on the floor test as MVA government is in crisis said, "Our understanding is that floor of the house is the only way to settle these issues of democracy."

As arguments continue, Supreme Court asked advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Sunil Prabhu - Are you disputing that 34 members of your party haven't signed letter?

Singhvi said, "there's no verification. The Governor kept letter for a week & acted only when LoP met him. Every action of the Governor is subject to judicial review."

"These MLAs go to Surat and then to Guwahati after sending an unverified email that they have no trust in Speaker, to disable him from exercising 10th schedule power," Singhvi said.

"While the matter is waiting for adjudication before the Supreme Court, how can the Governor who just recovered from COVID, after a meeting with the Leader of Opposition, ask for a Floor Test the next day?" Singhvi asked.

"The people who have changed sides and defected cannot represent the will of the people. Can't the Governor trust the Court to not call a Floor Test tomorrow? Will heavens fall if there is no Floor Test tomorrow?" he further asked.

Uddhav Thackeray may quit as Maharashtra Chief Minister on the issue of Hindutva, sources say.

If the Supreme Court's decision goes against the MVA, then there will be a split in the MVA on the issue of renaming Aurangabad to Sambhaji Nagar. It is likely that the Congress party will walk out of MVA government.

If this happens, then Uddhav will also get an excuse that he did not leave the agenda of Hindutva and may resign as chief minister.

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and state minister Aaditya Thackeray along with other ministers arrive for cabinet meeting. 

Sunil Prabhu's lawyer submitted that this Court is considering the validity of the disqualification proceedings and has kept the matter for hearing on 11.07.2022. The issue of disqualification is directly connected/interlinked with the issue of Floor Test.

"We will reach Mumbai tomorrow and participate in the Trust Vote. After that, a meeting of the Legislative Party will be held, following this the further course of action will be decided," said Eknath Shinde, at Guwahati airport.

The Supreme Court asked MVA government that the issue of disqualification is pending before us, but what is its relation to Floor Test, please clarify.

Lawyer says, "On one hand, court has stayed disqualification proceedings, on the other hand, MLAs are going to vote tomorrow, it's a direct contradiction."

The counsel representing the MVA government, Sunil Prabhu told court, "there is supersonic speed for the Floor Test. The Floor Test determines which govt represents the will of the people. A Floor Test is supposed to find out the true majority. True majority will include those eligible to be included."

"It's akin to saying Election Commission holding election saying that the electorate will include dead people or people who have moved out. If the Floor Test is done without determining if A,B,C,D are disqualified, pool in which Floor Test will be held, will change."

"The voting (in Floor Test) should not take place before the Speaker's decision. After his decision, the number of members of the House will change," he said.

"The disqualification case is pending before us, we will decide whether the notice is valid or not? But how is this affecting the Floor Test?" asked the Supreme Court. 

Rebel Maharashtra MLAs raise slogans of "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ki jai" and "Eknath Shinde sahab tum aage badho, hum tumhare saath hain", as they arrive at Guwahati airport.

Supreme Court starts hearing plea filed by Shiv Sena chief whip Sunil Prabhu challenging Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's direction to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to prove his majority support on the floor of the House on June 30.

Sunil Prabhu's lawyer told Supreme Court that letter which tells us about the Floor Test says that on June 28th Oppn leader met Governor & today morning we received intimation about Floor Test tomorrow. Two NCP members are down with COVID & one Congress MLA is out of the country.

The rebel Shiv Sena MLAs have left from the Guwahati hotel where they were camping under the leadership of Eknath Shinde. The Supreme Court is expected to announce its decision on the floor test anytime after 5 pm today.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government will hold its cabinet meeting at 5 pm. Before this, Congress ministers are holding a pre-cabinet meeting as all eyes are now on the Supreme Court hearing.

The departure of rebel Sena MLAs from Guwahati hotel where they are staying since last week has been delayed. The MLAs were scheduled to leave the city and reach Goa by this evening.

BJP MLAs will meet at Taj President Hotel in Mumbai around 7 PM. BJP leader and former CM Devendra Fadnavis met Governor on Tuesday and demanded a floor test. 

Former Maharashtra CM and Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis sought the support of MNS Chief Raj Thackeray for tomorrow's floor test in the assembly at 11 am. The lone MLA of MNS is likely to vote for BJP during the trust vote. 

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray to chair the cabinet meeting at 5 pm today. 

Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Wednesday claimed the support of 50 dissident MLAs from his own party and independents, contending that they can pass “any floor test” number.

Jailed Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs Nawab Malik and Anil Deshmukh on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court seeking permission to participate in the Maharashtra Assembly floor test.

Rebel Shiv Sena minister Gulabrao Patil on Wednesday said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has left his 52 MLAs, but is not ready to leave NCP chief Sharad Pawar, in a direct attack on the Sena president.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked the rebel MLAs for contributing to flood-relief efforts. 

Assam Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika and other state BJP leaders are accompanying Eknath Shinde and other rebel Maharashtra MLAs.

Dissident Shiv Sena MLAs camping in Guwahati are heading towards the airport from the hotel to travel to Goa.

Taking a dig at the governor, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said the Raj Bhavan has acted at a "jet speed even faster than Rafale" after BJP leaders met him, urging him to seek a trust vote.

SC to hear at 5 pm Shiv Sena's plea challenging Governor's direction to MVA govt to take floor test on Thursday.

Senior Adv Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the matter involves "illegal floor test" and requested for lisitng the matter today. 

The rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, who have been camping in Assam for last one week, are likely to leave for Goa this afternoon, en route Mumbai. A SpiceJet aircraft has been hired and the flight is expected to leave Guwahati's Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport for Goa's Dabolim airport at around 3 pm. The 39 rebel Shiva Sena MLAs and some independent MLAs are going to travel together in one aircraft to Goa and from there they are likely to travel to Mumbai.

Rebel Shiv Sena MLAs from Maharashtra have contributed Rs 51 lakh for the flood relief wok in Assam, where they have been camping since the last week. 

We will go to the Supreme Court against the Maharashtra Governor’s decision to call for a floor test.  This is an unlawful activity as the matter of disqualification of our 16 MLAs is pending in SC. The Governor was waiting for this moment only: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut

Rebel Maharashtra MLAs will be heading to Goa today; 70 rooms booked at Taj Resort & Convention Centre, Goa. They will then fly to Mumbai tomorrow and go directly to the Maharashtra Assembly. 

BJP directs its MLAs to assemble at the Taj in Mumbai today evening. 

Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday said Maharashtra's ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will have to move the Supreme Court against Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's letter mandating the Uddhav Thackeray-led dispensation to face a floor test on June 30. Governor Koshyari has asked the Maharashtra Legislature Secretary to hold a floor test of the Shiv Sena-led government at 11 am on Thursday.

Eknath Shinde and the rebel MLAs will be shifted to Goa by evening. The rebel camp will then move to Mumbai for the floor test tomorrow at 11 am. 

- Reports Rajeev (India TV) 

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar has called for a meeting at his residence, Silver Oak at 10 am today of all party leaders in view of the floor test tomorrow at 11 am.  

- Reports Dinesh Maurya (India TV)

Maharashtra home minister Dilip Walse Patil reached Silver Oak, residence of NCP chief Sharad Pawar. Both will disuss law and order situation in view of floor test on Thursday. 

- Reports Atul/Dinesh (India TV) 

A public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the registration of an FIR against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, minister Aaditya Thackeray and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut for sedition and breach of public peace was filed in the Bombay High Court on Tuesday amid a standoff between the MVA government and the rebel Sena MLAs. 

Striking a re-conciliatory note a day after divesting the portfolios of all nine rebel Shiv Sena ministers and against the backdrop of the Supreme Court granting relief to breakaway MLAs, party chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday appealed to the dissidents camping in Guwahati to return to Mumbai and talk to him, saying it's not "too late".

Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said he will reach Mumbai on Thursday for floor test against the beleaguered Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena-NCP-Congress government in Maharashtra. Shinde told reporters in Guwahati, where a large group of MLAs backing him is camping since a week, that he will reach Mumbai along with all his group legislators.

Dissident Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Wednesday stepped out of Radisson Blu hotel here, where he and other rebel Maharashtra MLAs are camping since June 22, and visited Kamakhya temple to seek blessings.

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari asked Maharashtra Legislature Secretary to hold a floor test of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government at 11 am on Thursday.