Maharashtra political crisis Highlights: Shinde camp celebrates SC's verdict

I have always said that this is a government of traitors and it's proven today. The current corrupt CM should resign and face election: Aaditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT)

In Pune, Shiv Sena workers - supporters of Shinde faction - celebrate Supreme Court verdict's on Maharashtra political row.

CM Eknath Shinde and other workers and leaders of the party celebrate outside Varsha - the CM's official residence in Mumbai.

This is the victory of the vision of Babasaheb Thackeray, the thinking of the Shiv Sena and the feelings that the common people had for our government. It is the success of the mandate that the people had given in the elections. And according to Balasaheb Thackeray’s thinking, those who tried to harass have been given a perfect response with the order given by the SC today: Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra CM

"No need to discuss it now. I have written about it in my autobiography," says Sharad Pawar on Supreme Court's remarks regarding Uddhav Thackeray's resignation.

His credibility falls every single day: from plotting this unconstitutionality to being forced to be a deputy to an illegal CM then the fashion designer story and now saying democracy has won. Immorality ke bhi limits hote hain, he has scraped that bottom too. Illegal and Unconstitutional is the stamp SC has given you’ll: Priyanka Chaturvedi on Devendra Fadnavis

I keep myself away for political issues, says former Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, who asked Uddhav Thackeray to face the floor test.

I don't think the court gave order on the political situation, it's a meritorious judgment. It was a fair judgment: Rahul Narwekar, Speaker, Maharashtra assembly

Truth has won…Shiv Sena UBT used to say that his government was illegal and unconstitutional for their own satisfaction and SC has cleared doubts being created: Eknath Shinde, CM

Uddhav Thackeray resigned not because of morality, but because he was scared (about floor test) as he did not have the majority, says Fadnavis.

Uddhav Thackeray should not give lecture on morality. It was he who ditched pre-poll alliance to join hands with Congress and NCP to become chief minister: Fadnavis

Responding to Uddhav Thackeray demand that Shinde and Fadnavis should resign on moral grounds, Fadnavis says Thackeray has no right to speak about morality as Sena won in alliance with BJP but then went with Congress and NCP. 

No question of resignation by Shinde as Supreme Court has termed the formation of the government legal, says BJP leader.

Victory for democracy, democratic process, says Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis after Supreme Court says can't disqualify rebel Sena MLAs.

Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MP Rahul Shewale says Bharat Gogawale to be reappointed as party whip considering the remarks made by SC in its order.

Now Shinde and Fadnavis should resign similarly if they have any morality left in them,says Thackeray. Time to decide whether the Governors are needed. There is tendency now to use Governors as servants, he added. 

DyCM Devendra Fadnavis: We are satisfied with the apex court verdict. The people who were expecting the fall of our government, have got their answer.

Uddhav Thackeray seeks to justify his resignation without facing trust vote. "I resigned on ethical grounds. Those who were given everything by the party turned traitors and asked me to prove majority. I did not want to participate in it," Thackeray said.

Rahul Narwekar of the BJP was elected Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly after Eknath Shinde formed a new government in the state in alliance with the BJP following a vertical split in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and the subsequent collapse of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government. 

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the question of disqualification of MLAs will be decided by the Maharashtra assembly Speaker.

"The status quo ante can't be restored because Thackeray did not face the floor test and tendered his resignation. The governor was, therefore, justified in inviting Shinde to form the government at the behest of the BJP which was the largest political party in the house," said the bench which also comprised Justices M R Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli and P S Narasimha.

"The governor was not justified in calling upon Thackeray to prove his majority on the floor of the House because he did not have reasons based on objective material before him to reach the conclusion that Thackeray had lost the confidence of the House," said the bench which also comprised Justices M R Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli and P S Narasimha.

This is a big relief to the Shinde government in Maharashtra. Now the State will get a stable government. We welcome Supreme Court's decision: Rahul Ramesh Shewale, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction)

Shiv Sena UBT spokesperson Sanjay Raut says Shinde should resign on moral grounds since judgement is against him. “Supreme Court has said that the Shiv Sena Shinde group's Whip is illegal...The current govt is illegal and formed against the Constitution,” he added. 

The Governor, BS Koshyari, erred as he concluded that Uddhav lost the majority in the House, the Supreme Court said in a crucial judgment. Floor test can not be used as a medium to resolve inter- or intra-party disputes, the Supreme Court observed.

The Supreme Court on Thursday said Uddhav Thackeray can not be reinstated as the Maharashtra chief minister because he resigned from the post but the floor test which in the case of Maharashtra toppled the Uddhav Thackeray-led government was not legal either. Read more