Fadnavis government invalid; ask it to prove majority: Shiv Sena to Maharashtra Governor

MUMBAI: Sharpening its attack on the Devendra Fadnavis government for its “manipulative” victory in the trust vote in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Shiv Sena on Thursday met Governor C Vidyasagar Rao here and demanded that it should be declared a “minority” government and he should order a fresh confidence motion.

Sena alleged the Fadnavis government is “invalid” as it has failed to fulfil the provisions of Article 164.

Sena leader Diwakar Raote said they have requested the governor to ask BJP to prove majority “or else declare it a minority government and seek a fresh trust vote”.

“The President has appointed Governor to uphold the Constitution. But if the government itself is unconstitutional (then) is it not his duty to take action in the interest of people?,” Raote said after meeting Rao at Raj Bhavan.

The fledgling BJP government won the trust motion through a voice vote on Wednesday, drawing angry reactions from Sena and Congress that have accused BJP of failing to prove its majority and “strangulating democracy”.