Devendra Fadnavis govt. wins by voice vote in Maharashtra Assembly

Mumbai, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ minority BJP government has won a confidence motion in the Maharashtra Assembly through a voice vote.

The Shiv Sena and Congress have protested against the Speaker, Haribhau Bagde, deciding not to opt for a division vote – in which legislators press buttons on a voting machine to record their votes, which are then counted.

The Congress said it would complain to the state’s Governor and seek a fresh trust vote. The floor test was brought swiftly forward, ahead of the election of the Leader of Opposition rather than after as was scheduled.

The Shiv Sena’s legislators shouted the loudest nays, voting against the BJP and signaling perhaps the end to a fractious relationship. Sharad Pawar’s NCP remained silent, seeming to abstain.

Sena MLAs trooped into the well or centre of the House to protest against the decision to hold only a voice vote.

Eknath Shinde of the Shiv Sena has been elected Leader of Opposition.

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