BJP govt wins vote of trust while opposition stages protest

The BJP’s minority government in Maharashtra, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis won the confidence motion in Maharashtra Assembly through voice vote, even as Congress and Shiv Sena staged protests opposing this decision. The Congress as well as BJP’s erstwhile ally Shiv Sena opposed the speaker’s decision of voice vote instead of ballot voting.

Photo: Indian Express

But by the time the drama unfolded, the confidence motion was passed and the speaker had announced the same. He later had to adjourn the house as slogans were being repeatedly raised against the voice vote. Mr Haribhau Bagde was collectively appointed as the speaker of the house earlier Wednesday after Congress and Shiv Sena pulled out its candidates from this contest.

The Shiv Sena and Congress had demanded division while the vote of trust was passed by a voice vote, enraging leaders of both the parties.

After winning the confidence of vote, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted: “I thank all Members of Assembly for the trust shown upon us. I assure that each step by Our Govt will be in the interest of ppl of Maharashtra.”

Protesting leaders called this decision as ‘illegitimate’ while the speaker defended himself by saying that he had followed the procedure. Congress leaders called it a ‘black day’ in the history of the state.

Later in the evening as Governor C VidyasagarRao tried to enter the assembly, he was heckled by the protesting leaders who blocked his way, making it difficult for him to enter the house. The speaker suspended five Congress leaders for heckling the Governor. These five MLA’s have been suspended for a span of two years.

The speaker also appointed Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde as the leader of opposition in the assembly.

Congress’ Maharashtra chief Manikrao Thakre called it ‘a murder of democracy’ while its leader of legislative assemble RadhakrishnaVikhe Patil accused the ruling party of violating rules. “We will urge the governor to either order a fresh of vote of confidence since today’s vote was not done properly. The A.B. Vajpayee government in the past at the Centre had fallen because of just one vote. Here, this government fell short of at least 25 votes and has no right to continue. We will not allow the government to work,” Thakre said further.

Shiv Sena’s Ramdas Kadam said that BJP betrayed people and asked them to prove the majority.

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About Suyash Karangutkar

Suyash Karangutkar is a young, dedicated and an enthusiastic journalist who has a deep interest in National and International Affairs. He is an ardent political spectator who finds politics fascinating. At Spectralhues, he heads the Mumbai team and covers National Affairs & Politics. He also occasionally writes columns for Spectralhues. He can be followed on Twitter @columnistsuyash