The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the Maharashtra government did not act in accordance with the law but refused to restore Thackerary-led Shiva Sena faction to power.
The court censured then Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, for taking decisions that helped Eknath Shinde’s faction, saying he had “erred” in concluding that Thackeray had lost the support of the majority of MLAs.
The apex court said it cannot disqualify Shinde and 15 other MLAs for revolting against then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in June last year. It also rejected a request to restore Thackeray’s government because the leader had chosen to resign instead of facing a test of strength in the assembly.
“The Supreme Court decision shows the present Maharashtra government is illegal. It is a moral victory for us,” Sanjay Raut, Mr Thackeray’s top aide, said.
