CM Devendra Fadnavis brought a confidence motion in favour of Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagde. The confidence motion was put to vote and passed by voice vote in favour of the speaker. Fadnavis’ confidence motion was seconded by Shiv Sena minister Eknath Shinde in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
Fadnavis said, “The government has the right to bring a confidence motion. The decision is in accordance with the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the legislature.”
He further asserted, “In 2006, former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh had brought a confidence motion and got it passed without opposition’s consent.”
Stating there was no violation of rules or anything unethical or unconstitutional, Fadnavis said, “What is wrong in displaying our confidence in the Speaker. As a ruling party we have every right to uphold the dignity of the most coveted post of Speaker.”
Upholding their decision, the BJP stated, “The confidence motion was a middle path. If we had allowed a debate against the Speaker, it would have created a dilemma. After attacking the Speaker, how can the opposition members continue to work in the Assembly under the same Speaker. Since BJP and Sena are in majority, there was no question of replacing the Speaker.”
