Maharashtra crisis: Was the deal between Shiv Sena and BJP mere optics?

Under Article 171 of the Constitution, the governor can nominate members having special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, cooperative movement, and social service

On the face of it, the political crisis in Maharashtra would seem to be over with the Election Commission (EC) announcing polls to the Legislative Council on May 21. In the middle of the Covid-19 crisis — because of which, incidentally, the Rajya Sabha polls were postponed by the EC — Maharashtra will vote to save Uddhav Thackeray’s reign.

Here’s the background:  Thackeray, who is not a member of either House of the Maharashtra legislature, took oath as chief minister on November 28, 2019. Under the Constitution, he needs to become member of the legislature by May 28, 2020. As all