In a small extension to the drama that underwent in Maharashtra last week, the Bhartiya Janta Party staged a walkout today in the first session of the Parliament. BJP is the single largest party in the state with a total of 105 MLAs in the assembly. The main reason for the walkout as painted by the BJP was that it is being conducted in an ‘unlawful manner’, indicating towards the swearing-in of the ministers and the convening of the house session. Despite the uproar in the Parliament, the Maha Vikas Aghadi front led by Uddhav Thackrey comfortably sailed in the floor test with a total of 169 votes in their favour. The BJP has 105 MLAs in the assembly saying a post-poll alliance as entered into by the three parties is nothing but unlawful.
Previously, Dilip Walse Patil was appointed as pro tem Speaker. He informed the House that during the headcount, four MLAs abstained from voting. It included two from the ALL India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen [AIMIM] and another from CPI[M] and another MLA from MNS, who is led by Uddhav’s separated cousin Raj Thackrey. Uddhav Thackrey was present in the House with a saffron turban and thanked the house members of people at the state after it declared winning the said floor test in the House of the assembly.
Thackeray wore a saffron turban, thanked House members of people of the state after it was declared that his government had won the floor test. He thanked all the members for ‘trusting him’ and also thanked the people of the state, he said it would not have been possible to work without the blessings of the people.
The session of the House at the Maharashtra assembly was telecasted live for the first time in the history of the state’s legislature.
However, there was chaos witnessed in the as soon as it assembled with BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis claiming that Maharashtra Assembly session was not being conducted as per the rules. Devendra Fadnavis said,
“The Assembly session is not being held as per laid down Constitutional norms,”
The swearing-in of the MLAs of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government was also not carried as pe per the rules, as alleged by the opposition party. Earlier the pro tem speaker was BJP MLA Kalidas Kolambkar. Amongst other objections, Fadnavis also objected the appointment of Patil saying in never the history of India, pro tem speaker was replaced. He asked why Kolambkar was returned from the post of the pro tem speaker.
The oath was taken in the name of Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj; unconstitutional says, Fadnavis.
The pro tem speaker responded to the allegations put forth saying that the replacement is also as per the order of the Supreme Court. The apex court has asked to conduct the floor test immediately, and the apex court has also prescribed the procedure. They state that it is a consequence of the Supreme Court order that they are conducting the floor test and headcount of support. The oath-taking ceremony of Fadnavis and six ministers alleged that the oath-taking ceremony of Thackeray and his six ministers, saying it was ‘not in line with the rules’.
There is an allegation of not forming the pro forma in the oath-taking ceremony. Fadnavis also alleged that he would raise his concerns regarding the proceedings of the House with Governor Koshyari.
“We are going to submit a letter to the Governor asking him to suspend the proceedings of the House, and that the House should follow the Constitution,” he told reporters.
Responding to Fadnavis’ allegations regarding the oath-taking ceremony saying that it is not being done as per constitution rules. Thackeray remarked that they would continue to take oath in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his parents. He says that if this is an offence, then I am ready to repeat it. He added,
“You (the BJP) feel stung when we took names of Chhatrapati Shivaji while taking an oath. I will take their names again and again. Those who don’t take the names of their parents have no right to live,”