New Delhi, November 24: All eyes will be on the Supreme Court which will today hear a petition by Shiv Sena-National Congress Party-Congress seeking a floor test within 24 hours to avoid horse-trading and "illegal manoeuvres" in Maharashtra. A bench of Justices NV Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna will hear the plea at 11:30 am. The Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine sought quashing of Maharasthra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's decision to invite Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis to form the government. Ajit Pawar Betrayed Sharad Pawar, BJP Misused Governor's Office: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.

"The petitioners are praying for an immediate floor test within 24 hours so as to avoid further horse-trading and illegal manoeuvres to somehow cobble up a majority from the Maha Vikas Aghadi," said the petition. In a stunning political development, Governor Koshyari on Saturday morning administered the oath of office to Fadnavis as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra and NCP leader Ajit Pawar as his deputy. This came hours after leaders of the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress nearly finalised their alliance to form a government.

What is a Floor Test?

A floor test is a process of deciding if a government or a chief minister enjoys the support of the majority of the MLAs in the House. The aim behind a floor test is to ensure transparency in the constitutional process. The MLAs-elect, with a yes or a no, vote to answer whether they support the particular person as the chief minister. In a floor test, the chief minister of a state who is, appointed by the governor is asked to prove his majority in the House in case there is doubt. The CM has to move a vote of confidence and win a majority among those present and voting. If the confidence motion fails to pass, the chief minister has to resign.

Can Devendra Fadnavis Pass Floor Test?

In the 288-member Maharashtra assembly, the BJP has 105 legislators. It also has the support of 15 legislators who are either independent or from smaller parties, which takes its tally to 115. The majority mark for the Maharashtra assembly is 145. If all 288 MLAs attend the floor test and cast vote, Fadnavis will need the support of 25 more MLAs to save his government. On Saturday, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that 8-11 MLAs from his party had gone with Ajit Pawar. Of them, at least seven legislators have returned to the party fold, PTI reported.

The BJP emerged as the single largest party winning 105 seats, and along with its longtime ally, Shiv Sena was in a comfortable position to form a government. The Shiv Sena, however, with 56 legislators refused to join the BJP in forming a government, insisting on rotational chief ministership. The Shiv Sena has since been trying to form a government with the help of the NCP and Congress, which had won 54 and 44 seats respectively.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 24, 2019 08:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).