Maharashtra political crisis: Governor calls for floor test on Thursday

In his letter, Governor Koshyari referred to media reports that 39 Shiv Sena MLAs have expressed their desire to exit the MVA government. The letter further says that the Raj Bhavan received an email from 7 independent MLAs stating that the Maharashtra CM has lost the confidence of the majority on the floor of the House.

MVA crisis live | Governor calls for Assembly session on Thursday to conduct trust vote against Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA govt

It also refers to opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis’ meeting with the governor where he submitted a letter stating that the chief minister has lost the majority in the Vidhan Sabha and requested a floor test.

“After having carefully gone through all the material available before me, including the reports in electronic and print media, I am of the opinion that a floor test for proving the majority of the chief minister is imperative to ensure that the government continues to function with the confidence of the House,” Governor Koshyari said in the letter.

“As the constitutional head of the state, I must ensure that the government functions with the support and confidence of the House,” the letter says, adding that a communication has been issued to the chief minister to prove his majority on the floor of the House on June 30.

The governor also referred to the violence in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra against some of the 39 rebel MLAs, posing threat to their life and that of their family members.

The governor has directed that the vote will be conducted by asking members to rise in their seats for the purpose of counting votes as contemplated under the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Rules. The proceedings of the House on June 30 will be telecast live and appropriate arrangements for the same shall be made, the governor said.

The letter states that the entire proceedings of the House, including the voting, will be concluded on June 30 and will not be adjourned for any reason whatsoever.

It also states that the entire proceedings of the trust vote shall be videographed by the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat through an independent agency and shall be submitted to the governor.

Adequate security will be deployed outside and inside the Vidhan Bhavan to maintain the sanctity of the voting process and also to pre-empt any law and order situation which may arise, the letter adds.