Govt with BJP formed legally, says Shinde

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said the Eknath Shinde-BJP government was legitimate and will remain in power, remarks viewed as a swipe at the Uddhav Thacekray-led Shiv Sena faction which has been predicting its collapse. He said the government, which came to power in June 2022, was formed as per Constitutional norms and rules. Addressing the state BJP executive in Nashik city in north Maharashtra, Fadnavis said he was confident that the Supreme Court will rule in “our” favour, a reference to the disqualification plea filed by the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction against 16 MLAs of the Eknath Shinde-led group. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said whether the 2016 Nabam Rebia judgement requires reference or not will be considered with the merits of the case on February 21. Reacting to the development, CM Shinde said, “We trust the judiciary. We expect a verdict based on merit. We are a majority government formed legally.” The opposition wanted a larger bench to prolong the case hearing, he alleged. “In a democracy, the majority has a say and our government was formed on that basis. We are working for the welfare of people,” he said. Talking to PTI, Raut said his party believes that truth will prevail and justice will be delivered by the apex court.