Hostile Takeover of Govt: Aaditya Thackeray Slams Ex-Maha Guv After SC Verdict
Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra’s Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray has hit out at the Ex-Maharashtra Governor, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, over his role in the recent political drama unfolding in the state’s capital. Thackeray has accused the Ex-Governor of trying to orchestrate a hostile takeover of the state government.
This political uproar began in November 2021, when Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress party leaders met with BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis in a Pune hotel late at night. The alleged “midnight coup” was a bid to overthrow the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who is Aaditya Thackeray’s father. However, their coup failed, and Uddhav Thackeray managed to retain his government with the support of the NCP and Congress.
The BJP’s actions prompted Uddhav Thackeray to launch a counter-move of sorts. The Chief Minister decided to grant a 60-acre plot of land in Kanjurmarg in Mumbai to the Metro Rail Corporation instead of the top choice land parcel in Aarey Colony. The Aarey land was supposed to be the site for a high-car fencing facility for the Mumbai police. The move alleged as political vendetta further fuelled the ongoing drama.
Koshyari, who served as Maharashtra Governor from 2019 to 2021, has been accused of playing a pivotal role in the BJP’s failed power grab and supporting them during the political crisis. After the Supreme Court delivered its verdict in the Uddhav vs. Shinde case, Aaditya Thackeray criticised Koshyari for allegedly violating “democratic norms” and “constitutional propriety.”
In a series of tweets, Aaditya Thackeray accused Koshyari of working against the interests of Maharashtra during his tenure as Governor. He also raised questions about the former Governor’s role in the political crisis in November 2021. Thackeray said that Koshyari was trying to subvert the democratic process by trying to depose a democratically elected government.
Aaditya Thackeray’s tweets read, “It’s unbelievable that someone who has held constitutional posts including Governor and Chief Minister, is violating democratic norms and constitutional propriety.” “The ex-Governor of Maharashtra tried to orchestrate the hostile takeover of our Govt and he also played a role in orchestrating the ‘midnight coup’,” he added.
Thackeray further condemned Koshyari for allegedly being a “party to the shameful and unconstitutional acts” and said that his “conduct was unbecoming of someone who has held constitutional posts.” The Shiv Sena leader called on all citizens of Maharashtra to take the matter seriously and stop those who tried to subvert the democratic process.
In conclusion, the political crisis in Maharashtra seems to be far from over, with the ruling coalition government still under immense pressure from the opposition and other political forces. However, the recent Supreme Court verdict has provided some temporary reprieve to the MVA government.