SHIV SENA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) There is no gainsaying that the boundaries between the jurisdiction of Courts and Parliamentary independence have been contested for a long time.(Erskine May, Parliamentary Practice, 25th edition, 321 (2019).) However, there is a need and requirement for recognizing institutional comity and separation of powers so as to tailor judicial interference in the democratic processes only as a last resort. This case pertains to one such situation, wherein this Court is called upon to adjudicate and maintain democratic values and facilitate the fostering of the citizens' right of good governance.

(2.) Before we pass any orders, we need to make a brief reference to the factual aspects giving rise to the petition herein. It was well known that there existed a pre-poll alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party [for short 'BJP'] and the Shiv Sena, who contested the Fourteenth Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections jointly. On 24.10.2019, the results for the aforesaid elections were declared and no single party had the requisite majority in the House. On 09.11.2019, the Governor called upon the BJP to indicate its willingness to form the Government, being the single largest party with 105 seats. However, the BJP declined to form the Government on 10.11.2019, as the alliance with the Shiv Sena allegedly broke down.

(3.) Subsequently, the Governor invited the Shiv Sena to form the Government. In this regard, the Shiv Sena is said to have shown its willingness to stake a claim to form the Government, claiming to have support of the majority. However, the aforesaid endeavor was not fruitful either. Thereafter, the Governor's effort to seek the Nationalist Congress Party's [for short 'NCP'] willingness to stake a claim to form the Government was also not successful. Ultimately, the Governor recommended President's Rule on 12.11.2019, which was imposed by a Presidential Proclamation on the same day.