The Top Court refused to stay the floor test slated to be held at 11 am on 30 June 2022 - Maharashtra Political Crises

Court: Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala 

The Top Court refused to stay the floor test slated to be held at 11 am on 30 June 2022 in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly as per State Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's directions. The bench took the decision on a plea filed by Shiv Sena whip Sunil Prabhu challenging the Governor's direction as motivated and arbitrary.

Depending on the outcome of the petition before the Court, the results of tomorrow will be determined, the bench said.

BACKGROUND

Maharashtra's political crisis began after cabinet minister Eknath Shinde along with other MLAs, left Maharashtra for Surat and then for Guwahati where they have been encamped for more than seven days now. Shinde and the rebel group have expressed their displeasure with Shiv Sena's alliance with the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party.

They have claimed that they stand for the cause found by Balasaheb Thackeray and have named themselves ‘Shiv Sena (Balasaheb)'. A disqualification notice was then served to 12 rebel MLAs by the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly. However, they approached the SC challenging the disqualification notices as well as the appointment of Ajay Choudhari as Shiv Sena Legislature Party leader.

On 27 June, the Apex court granted interim relief to Shinde and the rebel MLAs by giving time to file a response to the disqualification notice till July 12. The deadline was supposed to expire at 5.30 pm on June 27. Subsequently, the Governor then called for a floor test tomorrow, stirring Shiv Sena to approach the top court.

Prabhu in his plea argued that the disqualification of MLAs is directly related to the issue of a floor test, but the Governor ignored the argument and ordered a floor test in a jiffy.