Maharashtra: Two MVA Ministers leave Uddhav's Cabinet meeting post 'Hindutva' faceoff

A massive showdown was witnessed in the 'Mantralaya' while a Maharashtra cabinet meeting was underway, Republic learnt on Wednesday. Sources told the channel that Chief Minister and Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray brought up 'Hindutva' during the meeting, which pissed Ministers from allies- Nationalist Congress Party and Congress. Two Ministers from Congress-- Varsha Gaekwad and Aslam Sheikh--even stormed out, sources told. The meeting comes at a time when the Maha Vikas  Aghadi government stands on the brink of collapse.

Other key department-specific decisions by the state cabinet:- 

• Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department- It was decided that Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule Gharkul scheme will be implemented for special backward classes and other backward classes in rural areas.
• Department of Transportation- It was decided that the revised cost of the new railway line project for Ahmednagar - Beed - Parli Vaijnath will be approved and the state government will contribute for it.
• Department of Law and Justice- It was decided that Civil Judge (Senior Level) Court will be set up at Karjat (Dist. Ahmednagar). 
• Department of Agriculture- turmeric research and processing board will be set up in Hingoli 

Massive Hindutva showdown in cabinet meeting 

An email was sent by Governor Koshiyari from 7 independent MLAs. Also, the Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadanavis personally visited him, submitted a letter stating that the Chief Minister has lost his Majority in the Vidhan Sabha and requested a floor test. Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari through a letter has asked the government to face a floor test and prove the majority by convening a special session of the state legislature on June 30. As per the letter, the floor test must start at 11 am and conclude by 5 pm. 

The Maharashtra Governor in his letter wrote, “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.”

Supreme Court hearing plea of Maharashtra government 

Meanwhile, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government moved the Supreme Court against Maharashtra Governors’ letter mandating the Uddhav Thackeray-led dispensation to face a floor test on June 30. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi for the Thackeray camp made an oral mention for an urgent hearing at 5 pm or 6 pm against the Maharashtra Assembly floor test tomorrow at 11 am. Singhvi says the suddenness of the floor test notice deserves an urgent hearing today itself.