‘Idiotic’: Devendra Fadnavis rebuts Oppn on Eknath Shinde’s future after SC verdict

Eknath Shinde has declined to comment, saying that he will only speak after the constitution bench of the Supreme Court delivers its verdict on Thursday.

MUMBAI: The Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government is stable and the opposition claim that Shinde will have to step down as chief minister after the Supreme Court verdict on the Shiv Sena’s split was “idiotic”, deputy chief minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday.

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde with deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis offered prayers at Ram Lalla Temple in Ayodhya on Sunday (Eknath Shinde Twitter/ANI)

Shinde has declined to comment, saying that he will only speak after the constitution bench of the Supreme Court delivers its verdict on Thursday.

Fadnavis, however, responded to the buzz around the verdict.

“The government is stable. Shinde will not resign. He will continue as chief minister and we will contest the next elections under his leadership,” Fadnavis told reporters, an attempt to brush aside the persistent rumours that Shinde will have to make space for BJP leaders.

Back in June last year, Fadnavis was widely expected to take oath as chief minister but was nudged to step aside by the BJP leadership to make space for four-time legislator Eknath Shinde.

It was argued that this would allow Shinde to stake his claim on the mantle of the Shiv Sena, dent Uddhav Thackeray’s ability to hold on to his bastion in Mumbai in the civic polls, and rob him of his biggest argument against the rebellion: that the BJP would never make a Sainik the CM.

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut claimed the Supreme Court verdict will show whether the judiciary is independent or under pressure.

“The judgement will show whether there is democracy in the country, whether it is running as per the Constitution and whether the judiciary is independent or under pressure. We are awaiting justice,” Raut told reporters.

“One can say it will also indicate what is the future of the country,” he added.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said he believes in the Constitution. “Let’s wait for 24 hours,” he said.

Congress leader and former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said the verdict will show how effective the anti-defection law is. Chavan said he expected the Supreme Court to clarify the role of the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution which seeks to prevent defections.

Shiv Sena legislator Sanjay Shirsat said they decided to back Eknath Shinde only after taking into account the legal position. “We rebelled (against Thackeray) only after examining legal aspects. The verdict will be within the framework of the Constitution,” Shirsat said.