Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar is under pressure from Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray to take an early decision on the disqualification of 16 Shiv Sena MLAs, including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Thackeray has urged Narwekar to decide at the earliest, stating that the gift of life to the rebel MLAs is temporary, and the Speaker should not succumb to any pressure. However, Narwekar has stated that he will not give in to any pressure while adjudicating on the matter and will take whatever time is required to complete the process. The Speaker said the disqualification issue will be decided by taking into account all relevant legal, political, and legislative aspects. The Supreme Court had given the Speaker a “reasonable period” to decide on the disqualification of 16 MLAs.
In the 2022 Maharashtra political crisis, the three-party Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government collapsed following a rebellion by Eknath Shinde, who later joined hands with the BJP to become the chief minister. Thackeray, the former chief minister, had resigned out of morality. The Supreme Court held that it cannot restore the MVA government led by Thackeray as he resigned as CM without facing a floor test in June last year though it passed critical remarks against then-Governor B S Koshyari. The SC has asked the Speaker to decide on the disqualification of 16 MLAs within a “reasonable period.”
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Speaker will take a decision on the disqualification of MLAs and other issues at an appropriate time, and if anyone tries to pressure him in any way, then it won’t be compatible with the country’s free and fair legal process. Fadnavis said the SC has given all such rights to the Speaker and given him a reasonable time as well to take a call. He added that the Speaker himself is a very good lawyer and will take a decision as per the law, the Constitution, and the directives of the Supreme Court by giving appropriate hearing and at an appropriate time.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab said the whip of that time was of Sunil Prabhu (MLA from the Thackeray camp) and it was violated, which has been well established. The Speaker should not take much time to decide on it (disqualification). “There is no escape for the rebel MLAs, and there is little time left for them,” Parab, a former minister, added.
Maharashtra Assembly Speaker is facing pressure from the Shiv Sena (UBT) president to take an early decision on the disqualification of 16 Shiv Sena MLAs. However, the Speaker has stated that he will not give in to any pressure and will take whatever time is required to complete the process. The disqualification issue will be decided by taking into account all relevant legal, political, and legislative aspects.
