CM Shinde Ready To Prove Its Majority In The Assembly

Mr. Shinde claims to have the support of 50, including 39 Sena rebels...

Mumbai: Ahead of being the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde's government formed the aid of the BJP after two weeks of the deep political crisis that will have to prove its majority in the assembly today. The test, though, is expected to be a formality.

As of now, the test of strength comes a day after BJP's Rahul Narwekar was elected Speaker -- a significant move has given the Shiv Sena's pending appeal to disqualify 16 rebel MLAs, including the new Chief Minister.

Taking notes from Mr. Narwekar, last night, he reinstated Mr. Shinde as the Shiv Sena's legislative party leader and also recognised the appointment of Bharat Gogawale as the chief whip of the Sena.

Moreover, a plea by the team Uddhav Thackeray, seeking disqualification of 16 MLAs of the Shinde camp, is before the Supreme Court. But even in the case of disqualification of 16 MLAs, the new government will have the numerical advantage.

Currently, the BJP has 106 MLAs, meanwhile, Mr. Shinde claims he has the support of 50, including 39 Sena rebels. Disqualification of 16 MLAs will bring the majority mark to 137, the government will still be in a comfortable position with a total strength of 140.

Taking notes from yesterday's meeting, the Speaker was elected with 164 votes. Opposition candidate Rajan Salvi got only 107 votes.

After the growing rebellions in the Sena, on Wednesday, Mr. Thackeray stepped down from the top post after the Supreme Court said he has to prove a majority on the floor of the house as ordered by the Governor.

A day later, Mr. Shinde was named the Chief Minister in a shock announcement by the BJP's Devendra Fadnavis. Later in the evening, the state got their new CM Eknath Shinde and his deputy Fadnavis.