Maharashtra Crisis: Raj Bhavan denies reports of floor test on Thursday, says no such order issued

Amid the spiralling political fiasco in Maharashtra, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari amid buzz over floor test in the House. The Raj Bhavan refuted reports of issuance of any letter ordering floor test at 11 on Thursday, as cited by several media houses.

Soon after Fadnavis met Governor Koshiyari, a purported ‘letter from the Governor’ ordering floor test on Thursday went viral on internet. However, Raj Bhavan denied of issuing any such letter.

“We’ve given a letter to Mahrashtra Governor and told him that the 39 Shiv Sena MLAs are saying that they don’t want to be with NCP, Congress government. It shows MVA govt has lost the majority. We’ve requested Governor to direct CM to immediately prove his majority through Floor test,” Fadnavis said after meeting Governor.

Fadnavis met the Governor after holding a meeting with BJP chief J P Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah where he discussed the spiralling political crisis in the state.

Earlier today, reports had suggested that Governor Koshyari may ask the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government to prove majority in the House amid the volatile situation in the state.

The Supreme Court’s Monday order putting on abeyance the disqualification proceedings against the rebel legislators till July 11 and also rejecting Thackeray team’s request to Thackeray’s team against holding a floor test till then came as a shot in the arm for the rebel group, paving way for floor test in the House. 

Earlier today, rebel leader Eknath Shinde said that he, along with other dissidents, will “soon” fly to Mumbai while claiming that he had support of 50 MLAs, including nine MVA ministers.

Shinde is believed to have held discussions with his lawyers over the possibility of a floor test where he could prove numbers in his favour and stake claim to form government with the BJP. 

The saffron party has so far maintained that it has not received any proposal from Shinde, adding that it will remain on “wait-and-watch” mode as of now. 

The BJP has denied any role in the rebellion but Fadnavis is being seen to be playing a key role in working out a post-MVA dispensation which he may head with support from the Sena rebels.