Mumbai, March 24 – Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday that the Legislature cannot assume the role of the Executive, and that directions given by the Legislature do not become the ultimate truth, as action based on those directions will take place based on the ground reality.
Chief Minister Fadnavis's statement came a day after the chaos and manhandling of ministers during the Satara Zilla Parishad (ZP) presidential and vice-presidential elections triggered uproar in both houses of the Legislature on Monday, bringing the internal rift within the ruling MahaYuti alliance to the fore.
Shiv Sena legislators had strongly demanded action against Satara Superintendent of Police (SP) Tushar Doshi.
The controversy escalated after Legislative Council deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe on Monday directed the state government to suspend Satara SP Doshi, who was allegedly involved in using force against protesters during the Maratha reservation protests in 2023.
However, State Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde later said that he would give a judgment on whether the State Council Deputy Chairperson could exercise such powers, effectively putting the suspension in limbo.
"The Constitution has defined three arms: the Judicial, the Legislature, and the Executive, and they work independently. The Legislature can give directions to the Executive, and, as a matter of respect, the Executive tries to respect the Legislature. But, with all due respect, I want to say that the Legislature cannot assume the role of the Executive," Chief Minister Fadnavis said.
He was responding to a debate initiated by Shiv Sena-UBT MLC Anil Parab through a point of procedure.
Parab recalled Council Chairman Ram Shinde's announcement on Monday regarding giving a ruling on whether the deputy chairperson has the right to suspend an IPS officer and asked him to resolve the constitutional deadlock.
NCP-SP MLC Shashikant Shinde also requested Council Chairman Ram Shinde to give a ruling.
Chief Minister Fadnavis said, "Just because directions have been given (by the Legislature), it does not become the ultimate truth. The action will only take place based on the reality on the ground."
The Chief Minister, referring to Parab and Council Chairman Ram Shinde's reference to the suspension of an IAS officer in the State Assembly, said that the action was a result of the official's absence from a briefing called by the Minister for legislative work.
"This was related to the business taking place inside the legislative building. Here, the incident took place outside the legislative building. Directions are given by the chair, and the Executive has a right to convey the reality. Even promises given inside the House are not like gospel truths. We have a Promises Committee to monitor those for that very purpose," Chief Minister Fadnavis said.
Earlier, on Monday, the council deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe ordered the immediate suspension of Satara SP Tushar Doshi.
The decision followed a "horrific" incident during the elections to the post of Satara Zilla Parishad president and vice president, where Maharashtra Minister and Satara Guardian Minister Shambhuraj Desai was allegedly manhandled and injured by the police personnel.
"It is a long-standing tradition of this House that the word of a member, and especially a Minister, is accepted as the truth. I am hereby directing the government to immediately suspend the Satara SP and all related officers who engaged in manhandling, causing injuries, and obstructing the democratic voting process," Deputy Chairperson Gorhe said.
She also noted that the state government should ideally have initiated an inquiry on Monday, but since it hadn't happened, the Legislature must now step in to ensure accountability.
According to statements made in the House, the chaos erupted during the voting process for the elections to the posts of Zilla Parishad President and Vice President.
Despite claims of majority by the Shiv Sena and NCP, the BJP won these elections.
The Satara Guardian Minister Shambhuraj Desai narrated his ordeal, saying that despite his 40-year political career, he had never faced such treatment.
Minister Desai alleged that while he was escorting 33 members to the polling booth – following an alliance between the Shiv Sena and NCP – they were intercepted by more than 100 police personnel in plain clothes just 10 metres from the voting hall.
The police reportedly acted on a "false complaint" of member abduction.