Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis lauds CJI at felicitation event

(From left) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, CJI Bhushan Gavai, and Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar outside Vidhan Bhavan, after the event on Tuesday. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday lauded the immense popularity and respect Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Gavai commands across Maharashtra. During a speech at a felicitation event at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai, Fadnavis said, "Such is the popularity of the Justice Gavai-sir that if a vote were to be conducted among all lawyers on any issue, Justice Gavai would not just secure a two-thirds majority, he would receive a thumping three-fourths support." The statements made by Fadnavis received huge applause from the gathering.

The 52nd CJI, Gavai was in Mumbai after being invited for a felicitation ceremony organised by the Maharashtra Legislature (Vidhan Bhavan) as he took charge of the highest judicial office. The function was organised in honour of a person from Maharashtra - Justice Gavai - being appointed to the highest judicial post. Earlier, he has served as a judge of the Bombay High Court.

The CJI, while addressing the topic ‘The Constitution of India', referred to Fadnavis's remarks. He emphasised that responsibility comes with holding high office. "Posts are not power, they are power coupled with duty," Gavai asserted.

Taking a cue from the CM's speech, state Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, too, candidly mentioned the remarkable popularity of the CJI. "It has been over a week since the commencement of the state legislature's Monsoon Session. But, I have never seen the level of attendance (read as packed house) that I am witnessing at this felicitation event," Narwekar said, referring to the packed house at Vidhan Bhavan.

Walkout over missing LOP

The Opposition in the Maharashtra state legislature highlighted a concern over the Leader of Opposition (LOP) post being vacant for six months - a violation of democracy - before Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Gavai on Tuesday.

"An important post in democracy - the LOP post in the state Legislative Assembly - has been lying vacant for over six months. A letter highlighting the plight has been handed over to the CJI," a statement issued by the public relations office of one of the Opposition parties (Shiv Sena-UBT, Congress and Sharad Pawar-led NCP) read.

Earlier in the day, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) staged a walkout of the Assembly over the delay in appointment of the LOP. Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav raised the issue, to which Speaker Rahul Narwekar responded, saying he would take a decision in this regard at an appropriate time after verifying legal provisions. Congress leader Vijay Wadettwiar and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Jayant Patil - before staging a walkout - cited that such an important post lying vacant is not in tradition and the issue should be resolved at the earliest.