In what is seen as changing political equations in the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supported the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in toppling Congress man Shivajirao Deshmukh from the legislative council chairman’s post yesterday. Shiv Sena slammed the BJP for the move, to which the latter reacted with sharp criticism.

NCP had claimed the post on the basis of its majority in the Upper House, and tabled a resolution to remove Deshmukh. The motion needed the approval of at least 40 members in the house of 78. Deshmukh got 23 votes in his favour while 45 votes went against him.