MUMBAI: Devendra Fadnavis won the trust motion by voice vote on the floor of House even as he ensured his party does not face embarrassment to take help of NCP which BJP top leaders were calling Naturally Corrupt Party until the elections were over.
As Shiv Sena decided to vote against the government and sit in Opposition, BJP managed the show of strength on the floor of the House in a shrewd manner, resorting to voice vote.
First, BJP MLA Haribhau Bagde got elected as the Speaker unopposed. Congress and Shiv Sena withdrew their candidates from the race to avoid embarrassments. BJP managers soon brought in a one-line resolution putting confidence in the Fadnavis government which was taken up immediately. This was quickly followed by a loud ‘yes’ as the 121 MLAs of BJP and 14 from small parties and Independents shouted together, establishing their majority. And, this is how came the victory for the BJP government on the floor of the House.
It was a day of high drama. BJP managed the show in such a manner that even Shiv Sena and Congress could not understand how they were outwitted by a shrewd Fadnavis.
The vote of trust was passed through voice vote amid some confusion as Shiv Sena demanded that their status as Leader of Opposition should be declared before voting. However, Sena leader Eknath Shinde’s name as Leader of Opposition was announced after the vote.
“Shiv Sena has decided to sit in opposition. We will vote against the trust vote,” Sena leader Ramdas Kadam told mediapersons before the trust vote, adding, “we have lost faith in them (BJP).”
“The Sena’s decision is against the interests of Maharashtra,” state finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said.
No conditional support: BJP
GVL Narasimha Rao, a senior leader of BJP in the state, had already made clear that his party would not accept conditional support. BJP called Sena’s decision to vote against the Fadnavis government unfortunate and not in the interest of the state.
“Our government in Maharashtra will prove its majority on floor; we welcome anyone who will help us in development of the state. Shiv Sena should support us but that’s a call they have to take, but we will not take anyone’s support with conditionality,” Rao had said.
