Maharashtra floor tests: Important points of Supreme Court order on political crisis

In a significant development in Maharashtra political crisis, the Supreme Court of India on Tuesday ordered floor test to prove the majority of Devendra Fadnavis-led government in Maharashtra. The today passed its order over a joint petition filed by Shiv Sena, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party(NCP) against the decision of the Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to invite BJP to form the government in the state.

Here are highlights of Supreme Court's order:

• Maharashtra Governor to ensure that the floor test be held on November 27.
• Pro tem Speaker shall be solely appointed for the aforesaid agenda immediately.
• All elected members shall take oath on November 27, which should be completed before 5 pm.
• Immediately thereafter, the Pro tem Speaker shall conduct the floor test in order to ascertain whether Fadnavis has the majority, and these proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with law.
• Floor test will not be conducted by secret ballot.
• Proceedings have to be live telecast and appropriate arrangements are to be made to ensure the same.
• SC says undemocratic and illegal practices within the political arena should be curtailed.
• SC says if the floor test is delayed there is a possibility of horse trading and it becomes incumbent upon the court to act to protect democratic values.
• Eight-weeks-time granted to Centre and others to file their replies on the plea of Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine against the Maharashtra governor's decision to swear in Fadnavis as chief minister.

(With PTI inputs)

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